JetBlue under fire for honoring NJ trooper killer during Black History Month

Airline JetBlue is taking heat for a Black History Month poster that honors a woman convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper.

News 12 Staff

Feb 28, 2019, 1:00 AM

Updated 2,027 days ago

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JetBlue under fire for honoring NJ trooper killer during Black History Month
Airline JetBlue is taking heat for a Black History Month poster that honors a woman convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper.
The poster, which was up in a New York airport, depicted an image of Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, who was convicted of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973. Chesimard escaped prison and fled to Cuba, where it is believed she still remains.
The JetBlue poster described Chesimard as a “hero” for protests against racism. It also noted that she was the first woman to be placed on the FBI’s “Most Wanted List.”
Travelers who saw the image posted pictures on social media.
A spokesperson for JetBlue says in a statement, “Our crewmembers 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 crewmembers and customers around the importance of Black History Month and we apologize for any offense the poster may have caused."
State police have released the following statement: “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.”