Last Cuban standing, what's your opinion regarding this: Ban lifted in Cuba

[karimah]

Cubans in N.J. respond to lifting of travel ban
by Tanya Drobness/The Star-Ledger Monday April 13, 2009, 9:30 PM
For Kenia Cardena, it means she will be able to see the parents and relatives she left behind. For Alex Garcia, it means he will be able to send medical supplies to his ailing aunt. For Yudit Robilero, it means she will be given more than just two opportunities a year to send food and clothing to her family.

President Obama's decision today to lift Cuban travel and remittance restrictions and link the United States and Cuba via telecommunications networks meant different things to different people in New Jersey's Cuban-American communities in Hudson County.


Charles Hack/The Jersey Journal
Cuban-born Americans in Union City, from left, Angel Moatagudo, 68, Eugenio Batista, 58, Pablo Montejo, 77, Pablo Recalde, 87, today, after Obama's announcement that he will ease restrictions on sending money and on travel to Cuba.
Cardena, 23, who came to the United States six months ago to live with her husband, cried when she heard Obama's announcement, relieved she won't have to wait several years to send medicine or travel to see the parents and entire family she left behind.

"I have my husband here, but I miss it very much," said the North Bergen resident, who works in a shoe store. "It's difficult to leave your country."

Garcia, 48, of North Bergen, said he previously could only send medical supplies to family twice a year, along with a few hundred dollars to help them get by.

He said he sends money to his aunt, Madeline Robilero, who recently had knee surgery and has other health problems.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Garcia said he has not visited Cuba since 1994 because he feared he would be detained. Most of his family lives in a village in San Guatanamo.

"There were so many restrictions and a very bad relationship between (President) Bush and Fidel" Castro, he said.

But not all in the Cuban community were pleased with Obama's decision.

Rep. Albio Sires, whose New Jersey congressional district includes the nation's second-largest Cuban-American populations, was one of three Democrats who penned a letter today to Obama warning him his decision would have devastating repercussions.

"We're a little disappointed we didn't get anything in exchange for lifting the ban on travel," said Sires (D-13th Dist.) "It was there for a purpose: to try to pressure the Cuban government to observe human rights, to make an accounting of how many political prisoners they are holding, to ease up on the Cuban people. It seems we gave a lot away and we're not getting anything in return."

Sires, who hasn't returned to the island since he left with his parents in 1962, noted the communists extract one-third of all money sent home, so easing restrictions on remittances will only fuel a totalitarian state.

Frank Huerta, 22, of West New York, the son of a Cuban immigrant, has never visited Cuba because of the hassle involved with traveling there.

He said that while he wants to go to Cuba now, others might still avoid going because of Cuba's Communist government.


EPA/Alejandro Ernesto
Cuban citizens receive their families, who live in the U.S., at the Jose Marti airport in Havana, Cuba today after President Barack Obama decided to pull out the restrictions of travels and remittances to the island.
"When tourists go, their money goes to the government," Huerta said. "Yes, the country gets richer, but it's Communist -- the government is keeping it."

Yudit Robilero, 27, of North Bergen, came to the U.S. at the end of January. She left behind her parents and two brothers. She said she's relieved she would be able to send them clothing and food and money more often.

"We, as Cubans, hope that the lift of the ban will be the first step in improving relations between the United States and Cuba," she said.

In Union City, a veritable Havana by the Hudson, there was joy in the streets.

"The restrictions before were horrible," said 43-year-old Viviam Perez. "I was limited to going back one time every three years. There are other Latin American countries where visitors can come and go as they please. It wasn't fair."

She came with her three sons to the United States three years ago.

"Here, they can become what they want and the government won't stop them," she said.

Luis Alvarez, 70, owner of Alvarez Cafe in Union City, who has been in the United States for 41 years, said he would send money to his brothers living in Cuba. He has been reluctant to send money in the past because the government takes money off the top, he said.

"Families there depend on their relatives who have made it here to keep them afloat, so they can survive under that government," he said.

[J. Sharpe James, J.D.]

He wants to leave the MESS Sharpe created which Cory is making worse!

[LastCubanStanding]

Cubans in N.J. respond to lifting of travel ban
by Tanya Drobness/The Star-Ledger Monday April 13, 2009, 9:30 PM
For Kenia Cardena, it means she will be able to see the parents and relatives she left behind. For Alex Garcia, it means he will be able to send medical supplies to his ailing aunt. For Yudit Robilero, it means she will be given more than just two opportunities a year to send food and clothing to her family.

President Obama's decision today to lift Cuban travel and remittance restrictions and link the United States and Cuba via telecommunications networks meant different things to different people in New Jersey's Cuban-American communities in Hudson County.


Charles Hack/The Jersey Journal
Cuban-born Americans in Union City, from left, Angel Moatagudo, 68, Eugenio Batista, 58, Pablo Montejo, 77, Pablo Recalde, 87, today, after Obama's announcement that he will ease restrictions on sending money and on travel to Cuba.
Cardena, 23, who came to the United States six months ago to live with her husband, cried when she heard Obama's announcement, relieved she won't have to wait several years to send medicine or travel to see the parents and entire family she left behind.

"I have my husband here, but I miss it very much," said the North Bergen resident, who works in a shoe store. "It's difficult to leave your country."

Garcia, 48, of North Bergen, said he previously could only send medical supplies to family twice a year, along with a few hundred dollars to help them get by.

He said he sends money to his aunt, Madeline Robilero, who recently had knee surgery and has other health problems.

The son of Cuban immigrants, Garcia said he has not visited Cuba since 1994 because he feared he would be detained. Most of his family lives in a village in San Guatanamo.

"There were so many restrictions and a very bad relationship between (President) Bush and Fidel" Castro, he said.

But not all in the Cuban community were pleased with Obama's decision.

Rep. Albio Sires, whose New Jersey congressional district includes the nation's second-largest Cuban-American populations, was one of three Democrats who penned a letter today to Obama warning him his decision would have devastating repercussions.

"We're a little disappointed we didn't get anything in exchange for lifting the ban on travel," said Sires (D-13th Dist.) "It was there for a purpose: to try to pressure the Cuban government to observe human rights, to make an accounting of how many political prisoners they are holding, to ease up on the Cuban people. It seems we gave a lot away and we're not getting anything in return."

Sires, who hasn't returned to the island since he left with his parents in 1962, noted the communists extract one-third of all money sent home, so easing restrictions on remittances will only fuel a totalitarian state.

Frank Huerta, 22, of West New York, the son of a Cuban immigrant, has never visited Cuba because of the hassle involved with traveling there.

He said that while he wants to go to Cuba now, others might still avoid going because of Cuba's Communist government.


EPA/Alejandro Ernesto
Cuban citizens receive their families, who live in the U.S., at the Jose Marti airport in Havana, Cuba today after President Barack Obama decided to pull out the restrictions of travels and remittances to the island.
"When tourists go, their money goes to the government," Huerta said. "Yes, the country gets richer, but it's Communist -- the government is keeping it."

Yudit Robilero, 27, of North Bergen, came to the U.S. at the end of January. She left behind her parents and two brothers. She said she's relieved she would be able to send them clothing and food and money more often.

"We, as Cubans, hope that the lift of the ban will be the first step in improving relations between the United States and Cuba," she said.

In Union City, a veritable Havana by the Hudson, there was joy in the streets.

"The restrictions before were horrible," said 43-year-old Viviam Perez. "I was limited to going back one time every three years. There are other Latin American countries where visitors can come and go as they please. It wasn't fair."

She came with her three sons to the United States three years ago.

"Here, they can become what they want and the government won't stop them," she said.

Luis Alvarez, 70, owner of Alvarez Cafe in Union City, who has been in the United States for 41 years, said he would send money to his brothers living in Cuba. He has been reluctant to send money in the past because the government takes money off the top, he said.

"Families there depend on their relatives who have made it here to keep them afloat, so they can survive under that government," he said.

Unfortunately my father died five years ago, so he was not able to see the siblings he left behind and had not see in in over 30 years.

I think this might be a good first step in increasing civil rights in Cuba. We'll see.

[karimah]

Cuba policy renews N.J. hunt for a cop killer
Joanne Chesimard is an 'urban terrorist'Wednesday, April 22, 2009 BY CHRIS MEGERIANSTATEHOUSE BUREAU
Three decades after convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard's escape from prison, New Jersey is making a renewed effort to extradite her from Cuba, Attorney General Anne Milgram said yesterday.

Milgram said President Obama's plan to normalize relations with Cuba is an opportunity to push for the return of the state's most wanted fugitive, who was found guilty of killing a state trooper in 1973.

"It's critically important that we try and get Chesimard back," Milgram said, responding to a question from Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), during a budget committee hearing.

"Here, here," responded Cryan, an undersheriff in Union County.

David Wald, spokesman for the attorney general, said Milgram and State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes will write to Obama to request Chesimard's extradition.

"If the president is trying to establish a different relationship, this is something he needs to talk to them about," Wald said.

Fuentes said the issue is still an emotional one for New Jersey troopers, who lost one of their own to Chesimard in 1973.

"With help from the FBI, we haven't let up the pressure on her return," he said. "We know she's in Cuba, and we have no intent of letting up that pressure now."

Last week, state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) wrote to Obama asking him to delay normalizing relations with Cuba until the island nation agrees to the extradition.

According to police, Chesimard was a well-known black nationalist linked to a number of robberies and assaults. In 1973, a gunfight broke out after two state troopers, Werner Foerster and James Harper, stopped her and two companions on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex County. Foerster and one of Chesimard's companions, her brother-in-law, were killed. Harper was injured in the gun battle.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1240377341118840.xml&coll=1&thispage=2


It's sad that Chesimard is their only concern.

[Diamond]

Cuba policy renews N.J. hunt for a cop killer
Joanne Chesimard is an 'urban terrorist'Wednesday, April 22, 2009 BY CHRIS MEGERIANSTATEHOUSE BUREAU
Three decades after convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard's escape from prison, New Jersey is making a renewed effort to extradite her from Cuba, Attorney General Anne Milgram said yesterday.

Milgram said President Obama's plan to normalize relations with Cuba is an opportunity to push for the return of the state's most wanted fugitive, who was found guilty of killing a state trooper in 1973.

"It's critically important that we try and get Chesimard back," Milgram said, responding to a question from Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), during a budget committee hearing.

"Here, here," responded Cryan, an undersheriff in Union County.

David Wald, spokesman for the attorney general, said Milgram and State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes will write to Obama to request Chesimard's extradition.

"If the president is trying to establish a different relationship, this is something he needs to talk to them about," Wald said.

Fuentes said the issue is still an emotional one for New Jersey troopers, who lost one of their own to Chesimard in 1973.

"With help from the FBI, we haven't let up the pressure on her return," he said. "We know she's in Cuba, and we have no intent of letting up that pressure now."

Last week, state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) wrote to Obama asking him to delay normalizing relations with Cuba until the island nation agrees to the extradition.

According to police, Chesimard was a well-known black nationalist linked to a number of robberies and assaults. In 1973, a gunfight broke out after two state troopers, Werner Foerster and James Harper, stopped her and two companions on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex County. Foerster and one of Chesimard's companions, her brother-in-law, were killed. Harper was injured in the gun battle.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1240377341118840.xml&coll=1&thispage=2


It's sad that Chesimard is their only concern.




The entire incident appeared to be "racial profiling" that went deadly. It's also sad that they're now pressuring a "Black President" to turn over a "Black woman" for an incident that occurred in the 70's; with no witnesses to prove she may possibly be innocent. :rolleyes:

[karimah]

The only thing that's really against her is the fact that she escaped from jail. I don't believe the Cuban government will turn her over.

On another note, they denied Mumia a new trial once again.

[ProSouth]

Cuba policy renews N.J. hunt for a cop killer
Joanne Chesimard is an 'urban terrorist'Wednesday, April 22, 2009 BY CHRIS MEGERIANSTATEHOUSE BUREAU
Three decades after convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard's escape from prison, New Jersey is making a renewed effort to extradite her from Cuba, Attorney General Anne Milgram said yesterday.

Milgram said President Obama's plan to normalize relations with Cuba is an opportunity to push for the return of the state's most wanted fugitive, who was found guilty of killing a state trooper in 1973.

"It's critically important that we try and get Chesimard back," Milgram said, responding to a question from Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union), during a budget committee hearing.

"Here, here," responded Cryan, an undersheriff in Union County.

David Wald, spokesman for the attorney general, said Milgram and State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes will write to Obama to request Chesimard's extradition.

"If the president is trying to establish a different relationship, this is something he needs to talk to them about," Wald said.

Fuentes said the issue is still an emotional one for New Jersey troopers, who lost one of their own to Chesimard in 1973.

"With help from the FBI, we haven't let up the pressure on her return," he said. "We know she's in Cuba, and we have no intent of letting up that pressure now."

Last week, state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) wrote to Obama asking him to delay normalizing relations with Cuba until the island nation agrees to the extradition.

According to police, Chesimard was a well-known black nationalist linked to a number of robberies and assaults. In 1973, a gunfight broke out after two state troopers, Werner Foerster and James Harper, stopped her and two companions on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex County. Foerster and one of Chesimard's companions, her brother-in-law, were killed. Harper was injured in the gun battle.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1240377341118840.xml&coll=1&thispage=2


It's sad that Chesimard is their only concern.This proves that law enforcement has no shame or integrity and will do absolutely anything to get anyone BLACK they think beat them.

Assata Shakur beat the racist NJ State Police at their own game. Thank God.

We praise and build monuments to slave owners in this country who illegally fought against the oppression of the British but we condemn, harass, surveil, and put in prison those who fight against the oppression of our citizens.

Leave Ms. Shakur alone. The families of the officers hurt in this incident years ago should blame the racist system in this country instead of her.

[Doofus1]

She's a common thug and a murderer that got lucky and escaped. She would kill any one of us if it suited her purpose, white, black or otherwise. Anyone that wants to consider her a hero is deluding themselves.

[ProSouth]

She's a common thug and a murderer that got lucky and escaped. She would kill any one of us if it suited her purpose, white, black or otherwise. Anyone that wants to consider her a hero is deluding themselves.Your comments can be attributed to this country's policy and practice around the world. I guess she had a good teacher. America is the biggest thug on the planet.

[Doofus1]

America is the biggest thug on the planet.

Even if that were true, which it is not, it hardly makes her a hero.

[LastCubanStanding]

On November 2, 1979 she escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey, when three members of the Black Liberation Army visiting her drew concealed .45-caliber pistols, seized two guards as hostages and commandeered a prison van.[164] The van escaped through an unfenced section of the prison into the parking lot of a state school for the handicapped, 1.5 miles (2 km) away, where a blue-and-white Lincoln and a blue Mercury Comet were waiting.[165] No one, including the guards-turned-hostages left in the parking lot, was injured during the prison break.[28] Her brother, Mutulu Shakur, Silvia Baraldini, former Panther Sekou Odinga, and Marylin Buck were charged with assisting in her escape; Ronald Boyd Hill was also held on charges related to the escape.[166][167] In part for his role in the event, Mutulu was named on July 23, 1982 as the 380th addition to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, where he remained for the next four years until his capture in 1986. State correction officials disclosed in November 1979 that they had not run identity checks on Shakur's visitors[168] and that the three men and one woman who assisted in her escape had presented false identification to enter the prison's visitor room,[169] before which they were not searched.[45] Mutulu Shakur and Marilyn Buck were later convicted in 1998 of several robberies as well as the prison escape.[170]

[ProSouth]

Even if that were true, which it is not, it hardly makes her a hero.Just like Nelson Mandela and the ANC were considered criminals too.

She is a hero to many Blacks in this country. It cracks me up when we embrace and memorialize white heroes in this country who commit heinous and ungodly crimes against humanity while demonizing those of color who commit much lesser crimes against fewer people.

If anything you should respect her and her group's ability to break her out of prison, into Cuba and taken in by Castro. For that alone she's a hero to many.

[ProSouth]

On November 2, 1979 she escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey, when three members of the Black Liberation Army visiting her drew concealed .45-caliber pistols, seized two guards as hostages and commandeered a prison van.[164] The van escaped through an unfenced section of the prison into the parking lot of a state school for the handicapped, 1.5 miles (2 km) away, where a blue-and-white Lincoln and a blue Mercury Comet were waiting.[165] No one, including the guards-turned-hostages left in the parking lot, was injured during the prison break.[28] Her brother, Mutulu Shakur, Silvia Baraldini, former Panther Sekou Odinga, and Marylin Buck were charged with assisting in her escape; Ronald Boyd Hill was also held on charges related to the escape.[166][167] In part for his role in the event, Mutulu was named on July 23, 1982 as the 380th addition to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, where he remained for the next four years until his capture in 1986. State correction officials disclosed in November 1979 that they had not run identity checks on Shakur's visitors[168] and that the three men and one woman who assisted in her escape had presented false identification to enter the prison's visitor room,[169] before which they were not searched.[45] Mutulu Shakur and Marilyn Buck were later convicted in 1998 of several robberies as well as the prison escape.[170] The info you posted forgot to mention how she got all the way to Cuba. Oh that's right, the big bad State Police have no idea how she got to Cuba.

Dumb little Black criminal girl beat them at their own game. How dare she do that.

[karimah]

Pro ,


Let's not mention the killer cops(lets remember Sean Bell, Amado Diallo) and

http://www.bcrevolution.ca/us_killer_cops.htm

remember her.

But because Joann was able to get away, she's this monster who needs to be returned.

[Doofus1]

If anything you should respect her and her group's ability to break her out of prison, into Cuba and taken in by Castro. For that alone she's a hero to many.

I don't respect common street thugs who rob and murder, even when it is puportedly for a "cause." That's all she was and will ever be. Neither she nor the BLA did anything to liberate blacks in this country. Their goal was to start a race war and they failed, lucky for all of us, but mostly for black Americans. They were no different than Charlie Manson or the KKK.

[Doofus1]

But because Joann was able to get away, she's this monster who needs to be returned.

Definitely a monster, along with her organization.

From Wikipedia:

According to a Justice Department report on BLA activity, the Black Liberation Army is suspected of involvement in over 60 incidents of violence between 1970 and 1976.[5] The Fraternal Order of Police blames the BLA for the murders of 13 police officers.[6]

On October 22, 1970, the BLA is believed to have planted a bomb in St. Brendan's Church in San Francisco while it was full of mourners attending the funeral of San Francisco police officer Harold Hamilton, who had been killed in the line of duty while responding to a bank robbery. The bomb was detonated, but no one in the church suffered serious injuries.[7]

On May 21, 1971, as many as five men participated in the shootings of two New York City police officers, Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Those arrested and brought to trial for the shootings include Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), Albert Washington, Francisco Torres, Gabriel Torres, and Herman Bell.

On August 29, 1971, three armed men murdered 51-year old San Francisco police officer John Victor Young while he was working at a desk in his police station, which was almost empty at the time due to a bombing attack on a bank that took place earlier - only one other officer and a civilian clerk were there. Two days later, the San Francisco Chronicle received a letter signed by the BLA claiming responsibility for the attack.

In January 2007, eight men, labeled the San Francisco 8 were charged by a joint state and federal task force with Young's murder.[8] The defendants have been identified as former members of the Black Liberation Army.[9] A similar case was dismissed in 1975 when a judge ruled that police gathered evidence through the use of torture.[10]

On the 3 November, 1971, Officer James R. Greene of the Atlanta Police Department was shot and killed in his patrol van at a gas station. His wallet, badge, and weapon were taken, and the evidence at the scene pointed to two suspects. The first was Twymon Meyers, who was killed in a police shootout in 1973, and the second was Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), who evaded capture until 2002, when he was arrested in New York on a separate charge, and was recognized as one of the men wanted in the Greene murder. Apparently, the two men had attacked the officer to gain standing with their compatriots within Black Liberation Army.[11]

In another high-profile incident, Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur), James Coston (aka Zayd Shakur) and Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli) were said to have opened fire on state troopers in New Jersey after being pulled over for a broken taillight. Coston (Shakur) and state trooper Werner Foerster were both killed during the exchange. Following her capture, Chesimard was tried in six different criminal trials. According to Chesimard, she was beaten and tortured during her incarceration in a number of different federal and state prisons. The charges ranged from kidnapping to assault and battery to bank robbery. Chesimard was found guilty of the murder of both Foerster and her companion Coston (Shakur), but escaped prison in 1979 and eventually absconded to Cuba. Squire was convicted of killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison.

The BLA was active in the US until at least 1981 when a Brinks truck robbery, conducted with support from Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert, left a guard and two police officers dead. Boudin and Gilbert, along with several BLA members, were subsequently arrested.[12]

Following the collapse of the BLA, some members (including Ashanti Alston and Donald Weems (aka Kuwasi Balagoon) became outspoken proponents of anarchism. Weems died in prison of an AIDS-related disease in 1986. Alston is currently active in organizing and activism in New York City.

[LastCubanStanding]

The info you posted forgot to mention how she got all the way to Cuba. Oh that's right, the big bad State Police have no idea how she got to Cuba.

Dumb little Black criminal girl beat them at their own game. How dare she do that.

Does it really matter? The stupidity started when DOC helped her escape.

Nonetheless, she needs to be returned to the US. If she feels she was unjustly prosecuted, she should reopen the case. There were issues with her conviction.

[karimah]

Definitely a monster, along with her organization.

From Wikipedia:

According to a Justice Department report on BLA activity, the Black Liberation Army is suspected of involvement in over 60 incidents of violence between 1970 and 1976.[5] The Fraternal Order of Police blames the BLA for the murders of 13 police officers.[6]

On October 22, 1970, the BLA is believed to have planted a bomb - This also means they are assuming the BLA did it in St. Brendan's Church in San Francisco while it was full of mourners attending the funeral of San Francisco police officer Harold Hamilton, who had been killed in the line of duty while responding to a bank robbery. The bomb was detonated, but no one in the church suffered serious injuries.[7]

On May 21, 1971, as many as five men participated in the shootings of two New York City police officers, Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Those arrested and brought to trial for the shootings include Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), Albert Washington, Francisco Torres, Gabriel Torres, and Herman Bell.

On August 29, 1971, three armed men murdered 51-year old San Francisco police officer John Victor Young while he was working at a desk in his police station, which was almost empty at the time due to a bombing attack on a bank that took place earlier - only one other officer and a civilian clerk were there. Two days later, the San Francisco Chronicle received a letter signed by the BLA claiming responsibility for the attack.-So because the letter said BLA this rules out that somebody else could have done this-In January 2007, eight men, labeled the San Francisco 8 were charged by a joint state and federal task force with Young's murder.[8] The defendants have been identified as former members of the Black Liberation Army.[9] A similar case was dismissed in 1975 when a judge ruled that police gathered evidence through the use of torture.[10]- CASE DISMISSED

On the 3 November, 1971, Officer James R. Greene of the Atlanta Police Department was shot and killed in his patrol van at a gas station. His wallet, badge, and weapon were taken, and the evidence at the scene pointed to two suspects. The first was Twymon Meyers, who was killed in a police shootout in 1973, and the second was Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), who evaded capture until 2002, when he was arrested in New York on a separate charge, and was recognized as one of the men wanted in the Greene murder. Apparently, the two men had attacked the officer to gain standing with their compatriots within Black Liberation Army.[11]

In another high-profile incident, Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur), James Coston (aka Zayd Shakur) and Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli) were said to have opened fire on state troopers in New Jersey after being pulled over for a broken taillight. Coston (Shakur) and state trooper Werner Foerster were both killed during the exchange. Following her capture, Chesimard was tried in six different criminal trials. According to Chesimard, she was beaten and tortured during her incarceration in a number of different federal and state prisons. The charges ranged from kidnapping to assault and battery to bank robbery. Chesimard was found guilty of the murder of both Foerster and her companion Coston (Shakur), but escaped prison in 1979 and eventually absconded to Cuba. Squire was convicted of killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison.

The BLA was active in the US until at least 1981 when a Brinks truck robbery, conducted with support from Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert, left a guard and two police officers dead. Boudin and Gilbert, along with several BLA members, were subsequently arrested.[12]

Following the collapse of the BLA, some members (including Ashanti Alston and Donald Weems (aka Kuwasi Balagoon) became outspoken proponents of anarchism. Weems died in prison of an AIDS-related disease in 1986. Alston is currently active in organizing and activism in New York City.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[karimah]

Does it really matter? The stupidity started when DOC helped her escape.

Nonetheless, she needs to be returned to the US. If she feels she was unjustly prosecuted, she should reopen the case. There were issues with her conviction.


The question should be why did they help her, perhaps she's innocent. No she can't be innocent because a white cop said she did it and their word is TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIE :eek:

[LastCubanStanding]

The question should be why did they help her, perhaps she's innocent. No she can't be innocent because a white cop said she did it and their word is TO BE TRUSTED BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIE :eek:


Sarcasm. She escaped because they were lazy. They (DOC) never checked her "guests" and let them walk in with weapons. If she is innocent let her stand up in court. Taking a guard hostage and fleeing the country doesn't exactly help her case.

[karimah]

Sarcasm. She escaped because they were lazy. They (DOC) never checked her "guests" and let them walk in with weapons. If she is innocent let her stand up in court. Taking a guard hostage and fleeing the country doesn't exactly help her case.


And you know all of this because you was on lunch at the doc that day and when you came back they told you they were lazy. How about due to her circumstances I believe they would have not even let her have one visitor but because they were down for the power to the people, they let her escape. Notice how none of the guards were killed during the escape right. RIGHT, it kind of makes you wonder.

[Doofus1]

LOL, Karimah. You pick out two that ended up being only allegations. How about these:

BLA members who remain in prison (as of January 2006), include the following:

Clark Edward Squire (aka Sundiata Acoli), convicted along with Joanne Chesimard (aka Assata Shakur) of the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973.

Jeral Wayne Williams (aka Mutulu Shakur), charged in part with conspiracy in 1979 BLA prison break of Chesimard (Assata Shakur), FBI's top ten Fugitive #380. Captured in 1986 and convicted of participating in the 1981 Brinks robbery, he received a 60-year sentence in a federal prison.

Herman Bell and Anthony Bottom (aka Jalil Muntaqim), convicted of the murder of two New York City police officers in 1971.
Joseph Bowen
Robert Seth Hayes, convicted of the murder of a NYC Transit Police Officer.

William Turk (aka Sekou Kambui), convicted of two murders in Alabama.
Ojore N. Lutalo, convicted following a shootout with a drug dealer.

Anthony LaBorde (aka Abdul Majid) and James D. York (aka Bashir Hameed), convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1981.

Nathaniel Burns (aka Sekou Odinga), convicted of six counts of attempted murder for his participation in the 1981 Brinks robbery and other incidents.

Grailing Brown (aka Kojo Bomani Sababu), convicted of bank robbery.

Freddie Hilton (aka Kamau Sadiki), convicted of the murder of an Atlanta police officer in 1971.

Russel "Maroon" Shoatz, convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1972.

Tell me, do they deserve to be considered heroes, along with someone like Dr. King, Medgar Evers or the three slain civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippi or the countless thousands that died because of injustice?

[LastCubanStanding]

And you know all of this because you was on lunch at the doc that day and when you came back they told you they were lazy. How about due to her circumstances I believe they would have not even let her have one visitor but because they were down for the power to the people, they let her escape. Notice how none of the guards were killed during the escape right. RIGHT, it kind of makes you wonder.

Uh, OK. :eek:

[JoefromPGH]

She's a common thug and a murderer that got lucky and escaped. She would kill any one of us if it suited her purpose, white, black or otherwise. Anyone that wants to consider her a hero is deluding themselves.

I've read her autobiography and it was moving. I don't necessarily consider her a hero but I do consider her a political prisoner who deserves another trial with a jury of her peers.