‘Justice for Sonya Massey’ rally at Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago, protesters demand police reform from Congress

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s been three weeks since Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her Illinois home by a now-fired sheriff’s deputy charged in her death.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.

On Saturday, protesters gathered in Chicago to demand Congress take action on police reform.

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Loud cries for police reforms were heard at Federal Plaza in the city center.

“At any point before Sonya was shot, he could have intervened against the real threat, Officer Grayson,” one protester said.

Dozens of people gathered for a demonstration themed “Justice for Sonya Massey” after the mother of two was shot dead by a police officer earlier this month.

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Protesters demanded that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill aimed at combating police misconduct, excessive force and racial bias in law enforcement.

“We’re just here to listen to the voice of the community so we can take action and stop the killings,” said Troy Gaston, organizer with Black Lives Matter Chicago.

“Police crime is a long-standing problem in the black community, and this is a really egregious manifestation of that,” said Faayani Aboma Mijana of the Chicago Alliance Against Racism & Political oppression.

Bodycam footage showed officers at Massey’s Springfield home earlier this month after she called to report a possible intruder.

Deputy Sean Grayson shot the 36-year-old woman after yelling at her to put down a pot of boiling water. He was arrested and charged with murder.

Calls for accountability were heard as a march through the streets of Chicago came three weeks after Massey’s death, which has been ruled a homicide. Her family is devastated, but they have the same demands.

“He must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Raymond Massey, the victim’s uncle.

Grayson has pleaded not guilty and is being held in custody pending trial.

READ MORE | Former deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey was dismissed from the Army for serious misconduct

Despite his firing, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police is now seeking his return to the force.