PEORIA, Ill. – The beginning of the Sean Grayson trial in Peoria on Monday also began protests and rallies outside of the Peoria County Courthouse.
The early morning Monday crowd of around 30-50 people gathered to speak out against police brutality, show support for Sonya Massey, and call for reforms to policing and the justice systems.
Grayson is accused in the shooting death of Massey at a home in Springfield in July of last year. Massey had called for police to investigate a “prowler” to her home, with Grayson and another officer responding. Massey was allegedly shot by Grayson after she put a pot of water down.
A petition for a venue change to Peoria was granted in April of this year.
Chama St. Louis-Boone says that’s the same time she began a “Peorians for Justice” Facebook group. She was also behind the microphone for Monday morning’s rally outside the courthouse.
“(What) I’m hoping to get out of the organizations is our desire to want to unify and work together to make sure that we are standing up for each other, but also holding police accountable,” St. Louis-Boone said.
Attendees at the rally were also encouraged to sign a petition to create an independent citizen police review committee, which aims to oversee police conduct in Peoria.
Portions of Main Street and Hamilton surrounding the courthouse are closed off to the public during the daytime hours when the trial is going on. Hamilton Parking Deck will also be closed off.
Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria says police officers are stationed inside and around the courthouse, to protect the public and those who want to peacefully protest.
“This is not because we’re worried about anybody here doing anything, but we want to make sure anybody that’s coming here is safe, they have the ability to express their First Amendment rights, and do it safely,” Echevarria said.
Echevarria says planning for the trial began as soon as the venue changed from Springfield to Peoria in April.
Comments