During the 1960s and early 1970s, the FBI targeted through COINTELPRO Civil Rights and Self-Defense Organizations such as the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. Assata Shakur was at one time a member of both organizations. She was shot multiple times during a 'routine traffic stop' in New Jersey by state troopers and as stated by all medical evidence presented during her trial, was not in a position to shoot and kill the state trooper who died at the scene. She was convicted under New Jersey law of guilt by association since she was at the scene of the crime. She was treated inhumanely while incarcerated, including being placed in the all male prison population. This led to her escape in 1979 and flight to Cuba for asylum.
She is not a terrorist.