ATLANTA — The tragic death of Sonya Massey is being felt across the nation.
The In Our Names Network, a national organization dedicated to ending police violence against Black women, girls, trans and gender nonconforming people, issued a call to action in cities across the country urging people to grieve the loss of Massey.
Following the fatal shooting of Massey, leaders at In Our Name collaborated with organizations in over 15 other cities such as the Atlanta NAACP to create a space for community members to process the loss of Massey and other victims of brutal police violence.
"The thing that hits me the worst, is that we still have not gotten justice. Now we have gotten accountability in some of the cases but we still have not gotten justice," Gerald Griggs, Atlanta NAACP President, said. "Justice would be Ms. Massey still being here with us."
On July 6, Massey called police to her Springfield, Illinois home concerned about a possible prowler.
Disturbing body camera footage released on July 22 shows, after allowing Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner to enter her home she was ordered to move a pot of boiling water from the stove.
During this exchange, Massey repeated the phrase "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" twice.
In response to Massey, Grayson became aggressive. Despite apologizing and ducking down to show she wasn't a threat, Grayson shot her in the face with his 9mm pistol.
Grayson then discouraged the other deputy on scene from helping Massey but according to First Assistant State's Attorney Mary Rodgers, "the other deputy still rendered aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical help arrived."
Deputy Grayson is currently in custody without bond and charged with murdering Sonya Massey.
Atlanta natives and families of other police brutality victims, such as the family of Jimmy Atchison, were present at the event to show support for the Massey family.
However, Sunday's event was not just about solidarity, it was also a platform for advocates such as Griggs to make a demand to elected officials in, and currently running for, office.
"From 2020, we've been marching we've been protesting. It's time for our elected officials to hear our voice, we don't want to see another death," Griggs said. "It's time for our elected officials, particularly the Vice President of the United States and the other Republican candidate that's running, to speak to police accountability with real policy change."
President Joe Biden released a statement in response to the killing on July 22 commending the actions taken by Springfield State's Attorney's Office and empathizing with the Massey family.
"Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and her entire family as they face this unthinkable and senseless loss," the statement reads. "Jill and I mourn with the rest of the country and our prayers are with Sonya’s family, loved ones, and community during this devastating time."
Griggs also urged President Biden to recall his 2021 meeting with the Floyd family and how he agreed Floyd's death changed the world.
"In 6 months, you have an opportunity to put the George Floyd Justice and Police Act up in the House of Representatives, pass it and then put it in the Senate, pass it and then sign it into law," Griggs said. "If you can't do that, you have the power of executive order."
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a piece of legislation that aims to:
- Enable federal government to effectively prosecute police misconduct cases
- End racial and religious profiling
- Eliminate immunity for law enforcement
- Ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants
- Limit military equipment and require body cameras
According to the 2023 Police Violence Report, at least 1,247 people were killed by police in 2023. However, officers are charged with a crime in fewer than 3% of these incidents.
"I appreciate you calling Sonya Massey's family," Griggs said. "I appreciate you saying her name but thoughts and prayers are not enough."
