Chicago Teachers Union Sparks Outrage with Tribute to Convicted Cop Killer Assata Shakur
In a move that’s ignited fierce backlash across social media and beyond, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) posted a glowing tribute to Assata Shakur, a Black militant convicted of murdering a New Jersey state trooper in 1973, shortly after her death in Cuba was announced. The controversial post, which hailed her as a “revolutionary fighter” and “leader of freedom,” has drawn sharp criticism for glorifying a fugitive on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list.
The CTU’s statement, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on September 27, 2025, reads: “Rest in Power, Rest in Peace, Assata Shakur. Today we honor the life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle.” It quotes Shakur’s famous words: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” The post has since garnered over 694 likes but more than 1,200 quote tweets, many slamming the union for celebrating a convicted killer.
The Post That Lit the Fuse
The tribute came hours after Cuban state media confirmed Shakur’s death at age 77, marking the end of a decades-long saga of activism, conviction, and exile. Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, escaped U.S. prison in 1979 with help from the Black Liberation Army and fled to Cuba, where she lived under political asylum granted by Fidel Castro. The CTU’s decision to memorialize her without mentioning her conviction has fueled accusations of whitewashing history, especially from those who view her as a terrorist rather than a hero.
Critics flooded replies to the post with reminders of the crime: the cold-blooded execution of Trooper Werner Foerster during a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. Foerster, 34, left behind a wife and young son. One viral response called it “disgusting,” questioning how an educators’ group could fund such “Marxist hero worship” through member dues.
Who Was Assata Shakur? A Divisive Legacy
Assata Shakur’s story is one of stark contrasts, depending on who’s telling it. Born in 1947 in North Carolina, she rose through the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army in the turbulent 1960s and ’70s, advocating for racial justice amid widespread civil rights unrest. Supporters see her as a symbol of resistance against systemic oppression, crediting her writings—like her autobiography Assata: An Autobiography—with inspiring generations in the fight for Black liberation.
But her legal record tells a darker tale. In 1977, a jury convicted her of first-degree murder in Foerster’s death, along with robbery and assault charges. Prosecutors argued she fired the fatal shot at point-blank range after a shootout that also wounded two other officers. Shakur maintained her innocence, claiming self-defense and FBI frame-ups under the COINTELPRO program targeting Black activists. Despite appeals, she was sentenced to life plus 33 years.
Her daring prison break—ambushed by armed accomplices during a transfer—propelled her to the top of the FBI’s Most Wanted list in 2013, with a $2 million bounty. Cuba’s protection shielded her for over 40 years, making her the first woman on the terrorists list. Recent X posts debate her fiercely: some hail her as a “freedom fighter,” while others label her a “cop killer” whose glorification dishonors law enforcement.
Backlash Builds: Calls for Accountability
The CTU’s post has unleashed a torrent of condemnation, particularly from conservative commentators and law enforcement advocates. Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project, blasted it as “beyond parody,” telling Fox News: “The Chicago Teachers Union, which is supposed to be responsible for educating kids, is honoring a convicted murderer using its official social media account.” He urged “rational educators” to opt out of union dues, calling it a “wake-up call” for members who feel misrepresented.
On X, reactions range from outrage to sarcasm. One user quipped: “I just don’t understand how people can say the left supports violence, glorifies cop killers, and seeks a Marxist revolution. [Chicago Teachers Union:] Hold my beer.” Another tagged U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, demanding she condemn the post: “Do you condemn the Chicago Teachers Union for honoring Joanne Chesimard, the convicted killer of NJSP trooper Werner Foerster?” Breitbart and Daily Caller amplified the story, framing it as emblematic of the union’s “leftist” bent.
The CTU, led by President Stacy Davis Gates, has a track record of bold political stands. Just weeks ago, it boycotted Target over diversity rollbacks, accusing the retailer of “white supremacy.” In June, Gates declared at a Chicago event that the union sees “the education and welfare of all children” as its duty, expanding its scope beyond classrooms. Fox News reached out for comment but received no response by Saturday evening.
Why This Hits Home for Americans: Education, Politics, and Values
For U.S. parents, teachers, and taxpayers—especially in Chicago, where public schools serve over 300,000 students—this controversy cuts deep into debates over what values shape the next generation. The CTU represents 30,000 educators, many funding its activism through dues. Critics argue honoring Shakur normalizes violence in classrooms, potentially alienating moderate members and eroding trust in unions amid national fights over curriculum and school choice.
Politically, it spotlights tensions in blue strongholds like Illinois, where teachers’ unions wield massive influence—donating millions to Democrats and striking for better pay. Economically, it raises questions about how union funds, partly from public coffers, support divisive causes. On lifestyle fronts, it fuels parent-led movements for transparency, echoing national pushes against “woke” indoctrination. Technologically, social media’s role in amplifying the post shows how viral outrage can pressure institutions, from boycotts to opt-outs.
As the dust settles on this Chicago teachers union controversy, the CTU’s tribute to Assata Shakur underscores a persistent divide: hero or criminal? With no apology forthcoming and X ablaze with #StopGlorifyingCriminals calls, expect sustained pressure on union leadership and broader scrutiny of how educators’ groups blend activism with instruction. This incident may galvanize opt-out campaigns and policy reforms, reminding all that the classroom battleground remains fiercely contested.
By Sam Michael
September 28, 2025
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