Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army activist who is also the aunt of the late rapper Tupac Shakur, has been named as one of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, making her the first woman ever to make the list.
Shakur, who was born JoAnne Deborah Chesimard, was convicted of murder in 1977 for shooting a police officer when she was pulled over on the Jersey Turnpike in 1973. During the shootout, another officer was injured, a Black Panther member travelling with Shakur was killed, and Shakur was also shot. She was sentenced to life and was serving time when, in 1979, she escaped from the prison with the aid of other activists.
Authorities think Shakur has been living in Cuba since her escape and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information that leads to her arrest. The state of New Jersey is adding a $1 million award as well, bringing the total reward money to $2 million.
She is a free woman in Cuba though, and she flaunts the freedom as she continues to speak out against the U.S justice system.
Did I mention that she's a poet? Yeah, I read one of her poems years ago...and I liked it.
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