The Chicago Teachers Union sparked outrage among law enforcement and conservatives by honoring Assata Shakur, a convicted cop killer who remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Story Snapshot
- CTU honored fugitive Assata Shakur, convicted of murdering New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973
- Union defended decision as celebrating “radical history” and social justice activism
- Police organizations and Chicago aldermen condemned the move as disrespectful to fallen officers
- Controversy highlights how woke activism has overtaken educational priorities in teachers unions
Teachers Union Celebrates Convicted Murderer
The Chicago Teachers Union crossed a dangerous line when it publicly honored Assata Shakur through social media posts and internal communications. Shakur, whose real name is Joanne Chesimard, was convicted in 1977 for the cold-blooded murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a 1973 shootout. She escaped prison in 1979 and fled to Communist Cuba, where she remains a fugitive under the protection of America’s enemies.
The union’s decision represents everything wrong with today’s educational establishment. Instead of focusing on teaching children reading, writing, and arithmetic, the CTU has chosen to glorify a terrorist who executed a police officer in the line of duty. This isn’t education—it’s indoctrination of the worst kind, poisoning young minds with anti-American propaganda.
Watch: Several aldermen plan to denounce Chicago Teachers Union for honoring Assata Shakur
Law Enforcement and Officials Fight Back
Police organizations across the nation immediately condemned the CTU’s shameful actions. The New Jersey State Police and national law enforcement groups expressed outrage at the union’s decision to honor someone who murdered one of their own. Several Chicago aldermen also announced plans to formally denounce the teachers union for this unconscionable act of disrespect.
The backlash reflects the deep frustration Americans feel toward institutions that have abandoned their core missions to embrace radical leftist politics. Law enforcement experts emphasized the profound pain this causes to victims’ families and the dangerous message it sends about glorifying violence against police officers. This attack on our men and women in blue undermines public safety and erodes the respect essential for law and order.
Chicago Teachers Union Honors Convicted Cop Killer Assata Shakur https://t.co/RycHWvrn2o
— cvolpe (@cvolpe) September 29, 2025
Woke Ideology Infiltrates Education
The CTU’s defense of their actions reveals the depth of radical penetration into our education system. Union leadership justified honoring Shakur by citing her writings on “resistance and social justice,” completely ignoring her conviction for murder. Parents and taxpayers should be alarmed that the union responsible for educating Chicago’s children celebrates cop killers while claiming to promote social justice. This represents a fundamental betrayal of public trust and demonstrates why school choice and parental rights in education have become so critical. When teachers unions prioritize radical activism over academic excellence, our children suffer and our society fractures.
Sources:
Alders denounce Chicago Teachers Union for post
Chicago Teachers Union honors activist Assata Shakur drawing backlash
Teachers Union Blasted For Honoring Assata Shakur
NJ pols slam tributes to Assata Shakur
