Radical Pro-Palestine Groups Rally Around Convicted Cop Killer's Death
Assata Shakur's passing highlights continued support for radical, anti-American violence among prominent pro-Palestine groups, such as the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights and Within Our Lifetime
The recent death of Assata Shakur, a convicted cop killer who spent decades as a fugitive in Cuba, has highlighted a disturbing pattern of radical pro-Palestine organizations p praising anti-American violence. The outpouring of praise for a woman who murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973 has drawn sharp condemnation from law enforcement officials and Jewish community leaders who see troubling connections between anti-American and anti-Semitic sentiments.
Shakur, born JoAnne Chesimard, was convicted in 1977 for the execution-style murder of Trooper Foerster during a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. After escaping prison in 1979 with help from radical accomplices, she fled to Cuba where dictator Fidel Castro granted her asylum. The FBI placed her on its Most Wanted Terrorists list, offering a $2 million bounty for her capture. She died at age 78 in Havana on September 25, 2025.
Chicago Teachers Union Leads Controversial Tributes
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) sparked immediate backlash with its glowing tribute to the convicted murderer. “Rest in Power, Rest in Peace, Assata Shakur,” the union posted on social media. “Today we honor the life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle.”
The post quoted Shakur’s own words: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy condemned the tribute as “shameful and depraved,” noting that Shakur “was convicted of the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who was executed in cold blood. There are so many worthy heroes to celebrate. She is not one of them.”
Democratic Socialists of America Mourns “Oppressed” Terrorist
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), whose prominent members include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, joined the chorus of mourning. The organization claimed the “American state brutally oppressed” Shakur and her fellow Black Panther Party members, framing the convicted cop killer as a victim rather than a perpetrator.
Pro-Palestine Groups Celebrate
The overlap between anti-police and anti-Israel sentiment became clear as pro-Palestinian organizations joined the mourning to lionize Shakur. The U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) posted a tribute calling Shakur “our leader, our teacher, the brilliant revolutionary.”
Within Our Lifetime and its leader, Nerdeen Kiswani, known for organizing countless violent protests in New York City, also shared tributes to Shakur.
SFSU Dept. & Prof. Rabab Abdulhadi
San Francisco State University’s Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas (AMED) Studies department also joined the celebration, reflecting the concerning influence of radical ideology in academic institutions. AMED has been the center of several controversies for hosting members of terrorist organizations at its events.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the AMED program has invited “many controversial figures” including Salah Salah, a founding member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Leila Khaled, a notorious airplane hijacker who participated in multiple hijackings for the PFLP in the 1960s and 1970s.
The department’s tribute to a convicted cop killer underscores how certain academic programs have become breeding grounds for extremist ideologies that celebrate violence against American law enforcement while simultaneously promoting anti-Israel activism.
A Historical Pattern
The celebration of Assata Shakur by pro-Palestinian organizations reflects decades of ideological alignment between anti-Israel activists and those who advocate violence against American law enforcement.
As early as 2013, the New York branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) demonstrated this connection when it posted content suggesting that Shakur was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list because of her Muslim faith rather than her conviction for murdering a police officer.
The mourning of Assata Shakur exhibited by many pro-Palestine groups highlights the overlapping anti-American and anti-Israel ideologies. These groups consistently frame American law enforcement and Israeli security forces as oppressive forces, while celebrating those who use violence against them.