[Ppnews] Letter to the Mayor of Trenton about Assata Shakur

[Political Prisoner News]

The struggle of late hip-hop rap icon Tupac Shakurs godmother, Assata 
Shakur (Joanne Chesimard), is still alive and well. Grass roots movements 
and activists all over the country are letting their voices be heard. Here 
is an open letter that was recently sent to the Mayor of Trenton, New 
Jersey Doug Palmer from Mae Jackson, Director of Art Without Walls.


http://www.thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=1843


An Open Letter to the Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey Doug Palmer

August 25, 2005

Dear Mayor Palmer:

Let me introduce myself by saying that ASSATA SHAKUR is my sister, friend, 
and comrade in the struggle for human rights of all oppressed people. When 
three “Freedom Fighters” boldly took action in 1979 and entered the Clinton 
Correctional Facility and liberated Sister ASSATA from the chains and 
shackles of her jailers, I rejoiced. I was proud to be apart of a 
generation of young African Americans that were courageous and committed 
enough to go up against America and didn’t give a damn about odds.

Others, and I, along with my late sister/comrade Ann Evans placed a half 
–page ad in the New York weekly, “The Amsterdam News”, affirming our love 
and support for Sister ASSATA and the compatriots who risked their lives. 
We didn’t back down then, and we don’t back down now.

The Advertisement in the Amsterdam News read: *“Run, ASSATA, Run, Stay 
Strong and Stay Free”, *reflecting the slave song for those who had escaped.*

*Throughout the Black communities on the East Coast -- Harlem, 
Bedford-Stuyvesant, and New Jersey the ad from the Amsterdam newspaper was 
cut out and taped to the windows in the homes of a generation of youth who 
were politically astute. The message was clear, and concise, plastered on 
lamp poles and any other available space stating, *“ASSATA IS WELCOME HERE.”*

Now that you know who I am, and I certainly have a clue as to who you are. 
We can in the words of Brother/Minister Malcolm X, “talk shop.”

At the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Chicago, Illinois, June 10th, 
2005 you stepped in on the international affairs committee discussion on 
the” normalization of relations with Cuba”, placing ASSATA SHAKUR on the 
agenda; opposing relations with “communist Cuba”, until ASSATA SHAKUR 
(Joanne Chesimard) is returned to the United States of America.

You have taken it upon yourself to provide leadership by becoming the 
premier “Black Elected Bounty Hunter;” assisting the Justice Department in 
breaking its’ own laws. Arrogantly and purposely ignoring the fact that 
ASSATA was granted political asylum by President Fidel Castro 28 years ago. 
Are you even aware that on any given calendar day the United States of 
America grants political asylum to those who defect from Cuba and other 
communist countries without interference?

The illegal war that is being carried out by America in Iraq has led to the 
captivity and imprisonment of hundreds of Iraqi citizens, swept up (stolen) 
from their home land; held in captivity in Guantanamo in the exact same 
manner and fashion that over seas Africans were stolen from the Mother 
land, held captive on plantations, first, in the southern states of 
democratic America. Your willingness to “hunt” ASSATA down in light of this 
country’s history of “kidnapping” is reminiscent of those “house niggas” 
during slavery that loved their masters more than they loved themselves, or 
freedom.

ASSTA SHAKUR is no different than Sister Harriet Tubman. She did not ask to 
come here. In fact, if memory serves me right, it was the USA government 
that said to the young dissenting youth of the 60’s who raised their voices 
in protest- *“Love it (America) or leave it”.* With a few good friends 
ASSATA left it. What else is a slave to do?

I am not here to argue ASSATA’s case. I am here to say that the many 
critical domestic problems facing the mayors of the USA, and especially 
Black mayors of urban cities, one would think the focus would be placed 
upon solving “some” of the more basic problems of the people you and others 
were elected to serve.

ASSATA SHAKUR is not your constituent’s problem. If ASSATA were returned 
from Cuba tomorrow (under your advocacy) it would not change the racist 
policies that rule the construction unions (among others) in Trenton, New 
Jersey, that keep people of color out. Nor would the “return” of ASSATA 
have an impact on your city and state high unemployment rate among Black 
adult males and poor youth of every color; or provide health care for the 
hundred of thousands of uninsured Jersey residents. Nor would her “illegal 
slave captivity” solve Trenton’s youth gang problem in your city. You tell 
me what purpose would the “illegal kidnapping of ASSATA SHAKUR” benefit the 
people of your city. I do however suspect that it would benefit your 
political career.

A million dollar bounty split three ways between you, the USA government 
and a hired mercenary reminds me of the auction block:

“Bid ‘em in, bid ‘em in...

I don’t have to wonder about how much they paid the slave to sell the 
slave, I think I know.

Hands Off ASSATA,

Mae Jackson


The Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-9977
www.freedomarchives.org 
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