Freedom, Resistance & Justice Live On

The world mourns the loss of Assata Shakur, the revolutionary, activist, and legendary Black woman whose life and words have shaped generations. Read more about her life and legacy inside through a list of quotes about freedom, resistance and justice.

Known as one of the most influential figures of the Black liberation movement, Assata Shakur dedicated her life to freedom, resistance, and justice (even when it came at a cost).

Born JoAnne Deborah Byron in Queens, New York, in 1947,  Assata Shakur grew into her activism during the height of racial and political turmoil in America. As a member of the Black Panther Party and later the Black Liberation Army, she fought tirelessly against systemic oppression and state violence toward Black people. It wasn’t just her actions that left a mark, but also Assata Shakur’s quotes. Her reflections on freedom and justice have continued to resonate, offering guidance and courage to those still fighting today.

One of her most quoted lines, “I have been locked up by the lawless. Handcuffed by the haters. Gagged by the greedy. And, if I know anything at all, it’s that a wall is just a wall and nothing more at all. It can be broken down.”

This quote speaks to her unwavering belief in resistance. For Shakur, walls (whether literal prisons or the figurative barriers of racism) were never permanent. Her voice reminded us that liberation is always possible, even in the face of relentless opposition.

Shakur’s life wasn’t without controversy. In 1977, she was convicted of the killing of a New Jersey state trooper, a charge she maintained was politically motivated and rooted in the government’s efforts to silence radical Black activists. She later escaped prison and was granted political asylum in Cuba, where she lived until her passing. Despite decades of exile, her influence remained global. Her autobiography, Assata: An Autobiography, is considered required reading for anyone seeking the truth about the Black struggle in America.

Her teachings on justice remain strikingly relevant. In her words: “Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who oppress them.”

The reminder that real change requires action, resistance, and courage and it still rings true in today’s fight against systemic racism, mass incarceration, and inequality.

Assata’s passing marks the end of a life lived with purpose and defiance, but her spirit is far from gone. She leaves behind a blueprint for freedom and a reminder that the struggle for justice continues. As we honor her, we carry her words forward: freedom is a constant fight, and it’s one worth never giving up.

Check out some of the most beloved Assata Shakur quotes below: