The APA issues the following statement related to the actions of Congressman Jamaal Bowman.
The Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester is calling on Congressman Jamaal Bowman to publicly denounce fugitive cop killer Joanne Deborah Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur. Chesimard, a notorious cop killer, is currently one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists and has a $1,000,000 reward out for her apprehension.
Disgracefully, Congressman Bowman has proudly admitted to putting the cop killer Joanne Chesimard on his “Wall of Honor” in the Bronx middle school where he once worked as the principal. Congressman Bowman has explained the purpose of the wall saying “Each and every member of the Wall of Honor has played a major role in moving our society from a bigoted, oppressive existence toward a world of freedom, justice and equality,”
Chesimard was one of three people accused in a May 2, 1973 shooting that broke out when they were stopped in their vehicle for a motor vehicle violation on the Jersey Turnpike. At the time, Chesimard was wanted for her role in several other felonies, including a bank robbery. Chesimard and her accomplices opened fire on police, executing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. A second trooper was also wounded in the shooting.
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.
Joanne Chesimard, aka Assata Shakur is a cop killer, an armed robber and a fugitive from justice. She is not a hero and there is no place for her on any “Wall of Honor.” Murdering a dedicated public servant does not move the world any closer to a more just society. Congressman Bowman’s misguided adulation of a cop-killer is appalling. That Congressman Bowman was teaching middle school children that Chesimard was worthy of honor is disgraceful.
Sadly, this is not the first time Congressman Bowman has displayed his explicit bias towards police. Bowman has referred to police as agents of “white supremacy” and has been quoted saying “police are terrorizing black and brown communities throughout the country.” This is yet another unwarranted display of disrespect towards the entire profession of policing.
On behalf of the thousands of law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the people of Congressman Bowman’s Congressional District, I request that he do the honorable thing and denounce Joanne Chesimard, aka Assata Shakur, apologize to the family of slain NJ State Trooper Foerster and ensure that Chesimard’s photo is taken down from the “Wall of Honor.”
The Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester (APA) is a unified coalition of more than 40 law enforcement labor organizations from throughout Westchester County, representing more than 4,000 law enforcement officers.
