Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was shot in the face by a sheriff’s deputy in her Springfield, Illinois, home while holding a pot of boiling water. The deputy, Sean P. Grayson, has been charged with murder and pleaded not guilty. The release of body camera footage of the incident has sparked national outrage and calls for police reform and a federal investigation.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump compared the video of Massey’s killing to the impact of images of Emmett Till, Laquan McDonald, and George Floyd. Vigils have been planned across the country on a National Day of Mourning for Massey, with rallies in major cities and the participation of activists like the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Communities in Kansas City, Cedar Rapids, and Wilmington have already held vigils for Massey, with attendees voicing their frustration over the continuous violence against unarmed citizens. Sonya Patrick, chairman of Wilmington’s Black Lives Matter chapter, emphasized the need for basic safety and regards the killing of Massey as a crime against humanity.
The tragic death of Sonya Massey has brought together a nationwide movement to demand justice and accountability for law enforcement officers. The planned vigils and rallies are a means for communities to mourn her loss and stand in solidarity against police brutality.
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