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 1979 prison break, 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.”
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