Targeted by law enforcement as the “soul” of the militant Black Liberation Movement, accused (and acquitted) of participating in a slew of bank robberies, Assata Shakur was imprisoned in New Jersey following her 1973 arrest. Assata’s co-defendant Sundiata Acoli, previously one of the NY Panther 21, remains in prison serving a sentence of life plus 30 years. A third comrade, Zayd Shakur, was killed by police during the 1973 arrest. In 1979, Assata escaped from prison.
In 1982, radicals from the Black Liberation and white anti-imperialist movements were indicted for allegedly helping Assata escape. Sekou Odinga and Mutulu Shakur remain in prison today. In 1984, Assata surfaced in Cuba and received political asylum. She is a beacon of hope and power for the international movements for Black liberation and to free all U.S.-held political prisoners.
Printed at the worker-owned Stumptown Printers, Portland, OR.
This is #62 in the Celebrate People’s History Poster Series.
