The California Chapter of the American Communist Party mourns the passing of our comrade, sister, and revolutionary icon, Assata Shakur. She passed away today in her home in Cuba at the age of 78.
For over four decades, Comrade Shakur lived as a beacon of resistance; a testament to the unwavering spirit of those who fight against state repression and the brutal machinery of finance capital. As a member of the Black Liberation Army, she was targeted, framed, and brutalized by an FBI-led campaign of political persecution known as COINTELPRO, designed to dismantle the revolutionary movement in America.
Her escape from prison and her life of political asylum in Cuba stood as a powerful challenge to U.S. imperialism. She was not a criminal; she was a political prisoner who exposed the racist injustices of the American imperialist system at home and abroad.
Comrade Assata’s legacy is not one of tragedy, but of profound strength. Her life was a lesson in internationalism, connecting the struggle of Black Americans with global fights against imperialist oppression. Her words, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains,” continue to fuel liberation movements from Ferguson to Palestine.
We honor her memory by dedicating ourselves to the fight for a communist America.
Rest in Power, Comrade Assata Shakur. Your duty is done. Ours continues.
