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JetBlue, state police respond after airline honors NJ trooper killer during Black History Month

JetBlue is getting some heat after a poster display commemorating Black History Month at LaGuardia Airport featured a woman who fatally shot a New Jersey State Trooper back in 1973.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2019, 3:51 PM

Updated 2,112 days ago

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JetBlue, state police respond after airline honors NJ trooper killer during Black History Month
JetBlue is getting some heat after a poster display commemorating Black History Month at LaGuardia Airport featured a woman who fatally shot a New Jersey State Trooper back in 1973.
A memorial in East Brunswick stands dedicated to State Trooper 
Back in 1973, Joanne Chesimard, and other members of the extremist group Black Liberation Army, opened fired on state troopers during a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Foerster was shot and killed, while the other was shot and wounded.
Chesimard was sentenced to prison in 1979, but she escaped and fled to Cuba, where she was seen in 1984, and is still believed to be there to this day.
JetBlue issued a statement apologizing and saying, “Our crew members came together to celebrate Black History Month with a display in Terminal 5 featuring prominent individuals in history. When we learned of concerns regarding one individual, we immediately removed the poster. The intention was always to unite our crew members and customers around the importance of Black History Month and we apologize for any offense the poster may have caused."
New Jersey State Police have responded to the apology, saying, “Joanne Chesimard is a fugitive who was tried and convicted of the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.  We appreciate Jet Blue removing the portrait of Chesimard out of respect for the Foerster family, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police, and all of the men and women in law enforcement that made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We will never forget the service of Trooper Foerster and remain steadfast and committed in our efforts to bring Chesimard to justice."
Chesimard remains on the FBI's most wanted terrorist list.