The Chicago Teachers Union is facing backlash after posting a tribute honoring Assata Shakur — the fugitive Black liberation activist who recently died after escaping a life sentence for the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973.
The CTU, which represents more than 27,000 members, hailed Shakur, who was living in Cuba following her prison break 46 years ago, as “a revolutionary fighter,” in a social media post, drawing immediate condemnation online, including from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Shameful and depraved,” Murphy wrote on X about the CTU’s praise.
“She was convicted of the murder New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who was executed in cold blood,” he said.
“There are so many worthy heroes to celebrate. She is not one of them.”
The Democratic Socialists of America account also posted a fawning tribute to Shakur, writing: “We vow to honor her legacy by recognizing our duty to fight for our freedom, to win, to love and protect one another because we have nothing to lose but our chains.”
Shakur, who was born Joanne Deborah Chesimard, died Thursday at age 78 in the capital city of Havana due to “health conditions and advanced age,” Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
She and two others were involved in a gunfight with New Jersey State Police troopers following a highway traffic stop on May 2, 1973, which saw Trooper Werner Foerster killed and another officer wounded.
Shakur was found guilty in 1977 of murder, armed robbery and other crimes and was sentenced to life in prison, only to escape in November 1979, with her supporters maintaining that she was pursued for crimes she didn’t commit or that were justified.
“Assata refused to be silenced,” the CTU wrote. “She taught us that “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,” the union added.
Many were quick to point out the controversy surrounding Assata, with a Community Note added to the CTU’s post pointing out Shakur’s conviction and her status on the FBI’s 2013 Most Wanted Terrorists list.
“She was a terrorist and murderer and I’m saying this as a civil rights attorney,” New York-based lawyer Andrew Laufer wrote on X.
“How about we honor the man she murdered instead,” another account on X wrote.
“She’s a cop killing terrorist. Shame on you,” another user on X added.
“This is really such a disgrace,” the post said. “I find it hard to believe that any organization, other than a terrorist organization, would openly celebrate this terrorist murderer.”
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