Assata Shakur (born as Joanne Byron) is a political activist and icon of the Black Liberation Movement who was involved in both the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. In 1973 Assata along with political associates Sundiata Acoli and Zayd Shakur were pulled over by Officers James Harper and Werner Foerster at the New Jersey Turnpike where a shootout ensued. The incident left both Officer Werner and Zayd Shakur dead and both Assata and Officer Harper wounded. Assata was later convicted for Officer Werner’s death and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years plus 30 days. After six years of unjust and illegal confinement, in 1979, Assata escaped from Clinton’s Correctional Facility for Women with help from Mutulu Shakur, Marilyn Buck and others. Assata fled to Cuba and was granted political asylum. Assata, now labeled as a terrorist by the FBI with a 2 million dollar reward for her capture, has lived in exile in Cuba since 1984.

Note on Reproduction: Due to the ongoing targeting of Assata Shakur by the US government, while this collection is open for access, the Freedom Archives asserts the right to refuse reproduction of any of the materials contained within.