Bill > SR45

This Resolution, passed by the Senate of the State of New Jersey, urges Cuba to extradite Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, to the United States. Chesimard was convicted in 1977 for the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and the wounding of another trooper during a traffic stop where members of the radical Black Liberation Army allegedly opened fire. After escaping from prison in 1979, Chesimard fled to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum and has resided since. Despite numerous past efforts to secure her extradition, including appeals to Pope John Paul II, Chesimard was added to the FBI's most wanted terrorist list in 2013, highlighting her perceived threat to the U.S. government. In light of the recent restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, this Resolution calls for Cuba to return Chesimard to face justice for the murder of a law enforcement officer.