On Thursday, a group of demonstrators came together in Washington Square Park to demand justice for the tragic death of Sonya Massey at the hands of the police in Illinois.
Police shot and killed 36-year-old Massey in her own home in response to her 911 call about a potential intruder.
The repetition of history is a concern voiced by the protesters.
Blair Baldwin expressed that the incident impacts her as a Black woman, but above all, it affects her as a human being. She believes that everyone should feel the same way. Witnessing someone seeking assistance and facing a tragic outcome is heartbreaking, and she empathizes with the victim on a personal level. Blair feels that such an incident could happen to anyone, and therefore, it is essential to address the issue in a humane way.
According to Baldwin, she has made the conscious decision to not view the bodycam footage that captures the tragic moment when Massey was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy while she was holding a pot that had been on her stove.
According to the rally organizers, the murder of George Floyd has not brought about enough change, and they are skeptical that significant changes will ever occur.
Relly Rebel, the Organizer of We The People NYC, shared their traumatic experience of witnessing a recurring event every year, multiple times a year. Despite the perpetrator being locked up, Rebel expressed concern about the possibility of seeing the same event again later this year.
Last week, a grand jury indicted Deputy Sean Grayson, aged 30, on charges of three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
Karen Ramspacher expressed her respect for the efforts being made, but firmly stated the need for change in the approach being taken. “The way they’re doing it is terrible and that needs to change,” she emphasized.
According to an Illinois State Attorney, Grayson had multiple alternatives at his disposal if he perceived a threat other than using his firearm.
On Thursday night, the feeling was shared in Greenwich Village.
