The so-called “Women’s March” organization that has staged protests nationwide since President Donald Trump’s inauguration was raked across the coals Monday after they publicly celebrated the birthday of a cop killer wanted by the FBI.
"Happy birthday to the revolutionary #AssataShakur! Today's #SignOfResistance, in Assata's honor, is by @Meloniousfunk,” the organization’s official account tweeted on Sunday.
Assata Shakur is a former member of the Black Panther Party and member of the far-left Black Liberation Army. She is classified by the U.S. government as a “domestic terrorist” and is on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist list.
In the early 1970s, Shakur and the BLA waged terror across the New York City and New Jersey area. Shakur has been accused of numerous felonies, including murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Here’s what the FBI says about Shakur, whose legal name is Joanna Chesimard:
Joanne Chesimard is wanted for escaping from prison in Clinton, New Jersey, while serving a life sentence for murder. On May 2, 1973, Chesimard, who was part of a revolutionary extremist organization known as the Black Liberation Army, and two accomplices were stopped for a motor vehicle violation on the New Jersey Turnpike by two troopers with the New Jersey State Police. At the time, Chesimard was wanted for her involvement in several felonies, including bank robbery. Chesimard and her accomplices opened fire on the troopers. One trooper was wounded and the other was shot and killed execution-style at point-blank range. Chesimard fled the scene, but was subsequently apprehended. One of her accomplices was killed in the shoot-out and the other was also apprehended and remains in jail.In 1977, Chesimard was found guilty of first-degree murder, assault and battery of a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill, illegal possession of a weapon, and armed robbery. She was sentenced to life in prison. On November 2, 1979, Chesimard escaped from prison and lived underground before being located in Cuba in 1984. She is thought to currently still be living in Cuba.
The FBI is offering a $1,000,000 reward for any information leading to Shakur’s capture.
Suffice it to say, celebrating a convicted cop-killer didn’t go over well for the Women’s March organization:
"Celebrate the Revolution! Kill a cop today!" - the apparent message of @womensmarch in this tweet. pic.twitter.com/gXhFJKTc6x
— Brian Cates (@drawandstrike) July 17, 2017
Do you realize about 95% of America is gonna have a real problem with any attempt to celebrate a cop killer who's a fugitive from justice?
— Brian Cates (@drawandstrike) July 17, 2017
She isn't a revolutionary, she's a murderer. Why would you prop her up?
— 🇺🇸Anmarie 🍺 (@LiberalHeretic) July 17, 2017
You embrace a murderer.
You are scum.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) July 17, 2017
You embrace a murderer.
You are scum.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) July 17, 2017
Seriously? She's a convicted murderer and on the FBI's most wanted terrorist list!
— Karl Lehman (@KarlLehman) July 17, 2017
There's nothing "revolutionary" about being a hard-core multiple murderer, robber & assaulter. https://t.co/z1vkcERPty
— But...Conservatives! (@Gooms) July 17, 2017
literally honouring a killer who is on the FBI's most wanted terrorist list. Vomit. https://t.co/K02luGpbRo
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) July 17, 2017
You love murderers. How nice.
— #Translation Goat (@TranslationGoat) July 17, 2017
The organization later responded to the criticism in a 20-tweet response saying the “attacks” on Shakur "are the latest example” of the “far-right” trying to “divide” them.
"#AssataShakur is a civil rights leader who used her leadership position to challenge sexism within the Black Liberation Movement,” the organization wrote of Shakur.
But Sunday’s celebration wasn’t the first time the Women’s March organization has promoted and accepted a convicted killer.
In January, during their massive demonstration on Washington D.C., Women’s March organizers featured Donna Hylton as a major speaker. Hylton served 27 years in prison for kidnapping and murdering a Long Island businessman in 1985.
The Women's March organization was also heavily criticized over the weekend after it was reported their leaders had armed security during a march protesting the National Rifle Association in Fairfax, Virginia.
