Assata Shakur, born JoAnne Deborah Byron on July 16, 1947, was a prominent political activist and member of the Black Liberation Army (BLA), known for her involvement in the Black power movement. She was also associated with the Black Panther Party. Shakur adopted her name, which means "she who struggles" (Assata) and "the thankful one" (Shakur), reflecting her African heritage and revolutionary identity. Shakur became widely known after being convicted in 1977 of the murder of a New Jersey state trooper during a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike. She escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum and lived for decades. The FBI placed her on its "most wanted terrorists" list with a substantial reward for her capture. She was both vilified as a cop killer and admired by supporters as a fighter against racial injustice. Shakur's legacy is complex, encompassing radical political activism against racial oppression and controversial involvement in militant actions. She passed away in Havana, Cuba, in September 2025 at the age of 78.