Atlanta mobilizes over Sonya Massey murder

ATLANTA — The tragic death of Sonya Massey is being felt across the country.

The In Our Names Network, a national organization dedicated to ending police violence against Black women, girls, trans people and gender nonconforming people, has issued a call to action in cities across the country, urging people to mourn Massey’s loss.

Following Massey’s fatal shooting, In Our Name leaders collaborated with organizations in more than 15 other cities, such as the Atlanta NAACP, to create space for community members to process the loss of Massey and other victims of brutal police violence.

“What strikes me most is that we still haven’t gotten justice. We’ve gotten accountability in some cases, but we still haven’t gotten justice,” said Gerald Griggs, president of the Atlanta NAACP. “Justice would be for Ms. Massey to still be here with us.”

On July 6, Massey called police to her home in Springfield, Illinois, concerned about a possible prowler.

Disturbing body camera footage released on July 22 shows that after allowing Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson and his partner into his home, he was ordered to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove.

During this exchange, Massey twice repeated the phrase, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

In response to Massey, Grayson became aggressive. Despite her apologies and her demeanor that she was not 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 District Attorney Mary Rodgers, “the other deputy still provided assistance and remained with Ms. Massey until medical assistance arrived.”

Congressman Grayson is currently being held without bail and charged with the murder of Sonya Massey.

Atlanta natives and families of other victims of police brutality, such as Jimmy Atchison’s family, were at the event to show their support for the Massey family.

But Sunday’s event wasn’t just about solidarity; it was also a platform for advocates like Griggs to make a demand of elected officials in office or campaigning.

“Since 2020, we have been protesting and protesting. It is time for our elected officials to hear our voices, we do not want to see another death,” Griggs said. “It is time for our elected officials, especially the Vice President of the United States and the other Republican candidate running, to talk about police accountability and real policy change.”

President Joe Biden issued a statement in response to the killing on July 22, commending the actions taken by the Springfield State Attorney’s Office and expressing sympathy for the Massey family.

“Sonya’s family deserves justice. I am heartbroken for her children and entire family as they deal with this unthinkable and senseless loss,” the statement read. “Jill and I grieve 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 remember his 2021 meeting with the Floyd family and how he agreed that Floyd’s death changed the world.

“In six months, you have the opportunity to bring the George Floyd Justice and Police Act to the House of Representatives, pass it, and then bring it to the Senate, pass it and 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 law that aims to:

• Enable the federal government to effectively prosecute cases of police misconduct
• End Racial and Religious Profiling
• Remove immunity from 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 less 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.”