As tensions simmer over the death of Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, a former Black Liberation Army member and convicted murderer of New Jersey state trooper Werner Foerster, political leaders across New Jersey are divided in their responses. The event has drawn national attention, with politicians from both parties expressing their views on the case and the legacy of Chesimard. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill, who is challenging Republican Jack Ciattarelli for the state’s top office, has chosen to remain silent on the matter as other politicians have voiced their support for justice and remembrance.
Foerster, whose death in 1973 during a high-speed police pursuit on the New Jersey Turnpike, has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for accountability in the state. Chesimard, now in her late 70s, was found dead in Havana, Cuba, where she had lived since escaping a New Jersey prison in 1979. The Cuban government confirmed her death, according to reports. Her death is expected to fuel renewed calls for her return to the United States for trial, as officials have long sought her capture. The FBI and New Jersey State Police had previously offered a $1 million reward for her capture, underscoring the gravity of the case.
Ciattarelli’s campaign highlighted the need for justice for Foerster, stating in a recent statement that her death is a “remind[er] of the lasting tragedy that justice was never served for the murder of Trooper Foerster.” Ciattarelli’s remarks reflect a broader political movement in New Jersey that has been seeking her return. Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, expressed his displeasure at the CTU’s post which praised Chesimard’s legacy, calling the gesture “shameful and depraved.” Murphy has also declared that he will oppose any efforts to bring her remains back to the U.S., emphasizing that her death does not absolve her of her crimes.
Meanwhile, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, voiced his condemnation of Chesimard’s actions and called for continued support for the families of those affected by her crimes. The CTU, a major union representing thousands of public school educators, faced backlash after they honored Chesimard’s