Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Sista Assata Shakur: A Beacon of Hope & Determination
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
27 September 2025
Sunrise: 16 July 1947 Sunset 25 September 2025
Today, the relaunched Echo N.J., the oldest Black-owned newspaper, is now online on the Echonewstv.com platform, sadly reporting the passing away of Sista Assata while celebrating the extraordinary life of Sista Assata Shakur, born Joanne Deborah Byron, a beacon of courage and resilience in the face of oppression. Assata's journey was marked by an unwavering commitment to the liberation of her people, standing as a powerful voice against the injustices of racism and systemic inequality. Through her activism, she inspired countless individuals to rise against the forces that sought to silence them, advocating for revolutionary changes that continue to resonate in the hearts of those who strive for justice today.
Sista Assata Shakur passed away on 25 September at approximately 1:15 P.M. in Havana, Cuba, a free woman, per her beloved daughter Kakuya Shakur's announcement on her FB Page. Per a report shared by Black Journalist Phil Lewis's "What I'm Reading." Assata Shakur's daughter, Kakuya Shakur, shared her thanks for all the "loving prayers that continue to anchor me in the strength that I need in this moment. My spirit is overflowing in unison with all of you who are grieving with me at this time."
Assata's life was a testament to the strength that emerges when one embraces their truth and stands steadfastly for what is right. She understood the pain of her community, navigating the struggles endured by Black Americans while courageously speaking out against violence, exploitation, and political repression. Her powerful words, shared with visionaries like Pope John Paul II, articulated a clear call for self-determination and equality. Within her message lay a deep love for her people, a love that inspired others to join the fight against societal injustices and to reclaim their agency in a world often marred by discrimination and despair.
A documentary produced by Cuban filmmaker Gloria Rolando titled "Eyes of the Rainbow" shares that "Assata Olugbala Shakur (born JoAnne Deborah Byron; 16 July 1947), whose married name was Chesimard, is an African American activist and member of the former Black Panther Party (BPP), Black Liberation Army (BLA) more over was a direct descendant of Seminole natives of North America. Between 1971 and 1973, Shakur was convicted of several crimes and was the subject of a multistate manhunt. In May 1973, Shakur was involved in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike, in which she was accused of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and grievously assaulting Trooper James Harper.
BLA member Zayd Malik Shakur was also killed in the incident, and Shakur was wounded. Between 1973 and 1977, Shakur was indicted in relation to six other incidents—charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, bank robbery, and kidnapping—resulting in three acquittals and three dismissals. In 1977, she was convicted of the first-degree murder of Foerster and of seven other felonies related to the shootout. Shakur was incarcerated in several prisons in the 1970s. She escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba in 1984 after living as a fugitive for a few years and received political asylum. She has been living in Cuba ever since.
As we honor Assata Shakur's legacy, let us remember the profound impact she had on the lives she touched and the courage she instilled in all of us. Her spirit lives on in the ongoing fight for justice, reminding us that the struggle against white supremacy and oppression does not wane. Instead, it is fueled by the dreams of those who believe in freedom for all. In celebrating Assata, we not only honor her remarkable journey but also commit ourselves to carrying forward the torch of her love and resilience, steadfast in our pursuit of a world where everyone can thrive without fear or prejudice.
References:
Comments