These Democrats Honor a Convicted Cop Killer After Refusal to Honor Charlie Kirk [WATCH]

Three Democratic members of Congress offered public tributes to Assata Shakur, a convicted cop killer who died this week in Cuba, while voting against a resolution honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month.

Reps. Summer Lee (D-PA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) each issued statements praising Shakur following confirmation of her death.

Lee posted a message on X quoting Shakur: “We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

We have nothing to lose but our chains ✊🏾

— Summer Lee (@SummerForPA) September 26, 2025

Clarke shared a longer tribute on her account, writing, “As we face the great fight for freedom of our day, may we find strength and purpose in these enduring words from Assata Shakur. If there is a single truth in this world, it is that Assata died a free woman. May she rest in power and paradise for all eternity.”

As we face the great fight for freedom of our day, may we find strength and purpose in these enduring words from Assata Shakur.

If there is a single truth in this world, it is that Assata died a free woman.

May she rest in power and paradise for all eternity. pic.twitter.com/w689MaWCQ7

— @repyvetteclarke.bsky.social (@RepYvetteClarke) September 27, 2025

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Pressley, speaking at a Friday event, quoted Shakur in a call-and-response exchange with the audience.

She later shared video of the moment on X, captioning it with, “Rest in Peace and Power, Assata Shakur.”

It is our duty to fight for our freedom.
It is our duty to win.
We must love each other and support each other.
We have nothing to lose but our chains.

Rest in Peace and Power, Assata Shakur💜 pic.twitter.com/i2BRXwdblP

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) September 27, 2025

Cuban officials confirmed Friday that Shakur, whose birth name was Joanne Deborah Byron, died in Havana at the age of 77.

She had lived in Cuba since the 1980s after escaping from a New Jersey prison in 1979.

Shakur was convicted in 1977 of the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who was killed in a shootout during a traffic stop.

Foerster left behind a wife and young son. Shakur was found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and related charges.

She later escaped custody with the help of accomplices and fled to Cuba, where she was granted asylum.

The FBI had placed Shakur on its Most Wanted Terrorist List and described the Black Liberation Army, the group she was affiliated with, as “one of the most violent militant organizations of the 1970s.”

A $1 million reward had remained in place for information leading to her capture.

While honoring Shakur, Lee, Pressley, and Clarke all opposed a House resolution introduced earlier this month recognizing Charlie Kirk’s life and work following his assassination on September 10.

The resolution sought to honor Kirk’s contributions as the founder of Turning Point USA and acknowledge his role in conservative youth activism.

Kirk was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University during a student event.

Authorities later confirmed the shooter had left anti-conservative messages etched into his weapon.

His death sparked a wave of tributes across the political spectrum, with congressional leaders, governors, and grassroots activists recognizing his influence.

Despite widespread bipartisan support for the resolution honoring Kirk, Lee, Pressley, and Clarke voted against it.

Their decision, coupled with their tributes to Shakur, has drawn significant attention and criticism.

The House resolution for Kirk passed with the votes of most Republicans and a majority of Democrats.

However, the opposition from the three lawmakers stood out given their public praise for Shakur, who was convicted of killing a law enforcement officer and spent decades evading U.S. justice.

Shakur’s death closes a chapter on one of the most high-profile fugitive cases of the 20th century, but her legacy remains divisive.