George Floyd's uncle joins calls for justice for Sonya Massey at Chicago rally
CHICAGO - As nationwide outrage over the police shooting of Sonya Massey grows, calls for justice are getting louder.
At Chicago Police Headquarters, community activists came together Saturday to rally in support of Massey. The rally was also attended by George Floyd's uncle, who has been traveling across the country looking to create change.
"She should be alive today," said local activist Carolyn Ruff.
The 36-year-old unarmed woman was killed in her Springfield home last month by a now-fired Sangamon County sheriff's deputy.
"That is an outrage in the video what we saw, and we’re not going to have it no more," said Anthoine Heath.
Sonya Massey made multiple 911 calls for mental health crises in days before police shot her at home
Sonya Massey had made at least two other emergency response calls in the days leading up to her July 6 death, according to records released Wednesday.
Massey who family members said had been experiencing some mental health issues, called police on the morning of July 6 worried there was an intruder in her home. But tensions soon escalated.
Massey was moving a pot of hot water from the stove when former deputy Sean Grayson demanded she put it down, shooting and killing her just seconds later.
"Sonya Massey deserved to be safe" Ruff said.
George Floyd's uncle, Selwyn Jones, traveled to Chicago to speak raising concern over the deputy's background having worked for at least six agencies in a four-year span.
"Should have had no opportunity to police anyone or anybody at any time," Jones said.
Sonya Massey murder: Records show Illinois deputy worked for 6 agencies in 4 years
The former Illinois sheriff's deputy charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey had been employed by a half-dozen police agencies since 2020, according to state law enforcement records.
After Floyd's murder in May 2020, he started the Hope 929 Foundation.
"George Floyd, he created an opportunity for all of us to be able to make people accountable," Jones said. "With change will come hope, and we obviously hope that these incidents stop happening in the world that we live in, but unfortunately, they’re just stacking up."
Sonya Massey murder: Illinois sheriff apologizes for deputy, 'I offer up no excuses'
The Illinois sheriff whose deputy shot Sonya Massey, the unarmed Black woman who called 911 for help in her Springfield home, apologized to the community during a gathering Monday night, saying, "I offer up no excuses."
Sonya Massey murder: Illinois sheriff apologizes for deputy, 'I offer up no excuses'
The group took their voices to the streets, marching in solidarity with Massey's family and amplifying their calls for justice.
"As long as we keep fighting, as long as we keep trying, we have to have people stop dying," Jones said.
The former deputy who struck Massey has been charged with first-degree murder is being held without bond.
Civil rights attorney, Benjamin Crump is now representing Massey's family.