The FBI calls her a terrorist but some Black Lives Matter supporters in the Bay Area call her a fighter for civil rights.<\/p>\n
Fugitive Assata Shakur is the source of a lot of debate in Palo Alto, after an artist painted the convicted murderer as part of a city-sanctioned mural.<\/p>\n
A national police group says thats an insult to police everywhere and are calling on the city to scrub Assata off the mural.<\/p>\n
The U.S. government has branded Shakur, a member of the Black Power movement who was convicted in the murder of a New Jersey state Trooper, as part of the nations Most Wanted Terorist List.<\/p>\n
Shakur escaped from prison in 1979 and is believed to be hiding out in Cuba ever since.<\/p>\n
Assata is one of many minority members who have been slandered by this country, said JT Faraji from Hood Squad from East Palo Alto.<\/p>\n
On the same day, that happens to be Shakurs 73-year-old birthday, Black Lives Matter supporters gathered outside of Palo Alto City Hall to defend her as a civil rights leader and to chip away at the label cop-killer.<\/p>\n
We have to defend Assata, a righteous woman, a woman who fought for her people, Faraji said.<\/p>\n
The National Police Association doesnt see Assata that way. Retired police sergeant Betsy Smith says Shakur should not be glorified.<\/p>\n
Police officers have to walk by that every day and see the face of a convicted cop killer, thats a hostile work environment, said Betsy Smith from the National Police Association.<\/p>\n
Palo Altos Mayor Adrian Fine says its a contentious issue.<\/p>\n
I got hundreds of calls over the past week calling it idiotic and cruel, he said.<\/p>\n
Fine says he took the mural artists advice and read up Shakurs biography to decide for himself how Shakur should truly be remembered.<\/p>\n
When asked if the mural should stay, the mayor said, as far as Im concerned, absolutely.<\/p>\n
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Read more here:<\/p>\n
Fugitive the Source of Debate Over Black Lives Matter Mural in Palo Alto - NBC Bay Area<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The FBI calls her a terrorist but some Black Lives Matter supporters in the Bay Area call her a fighter for civil rights. Continue reading