(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton has joined the chorus of voices fighting for justice for Sonya Massey. Sharpton stood alongside Attorney Ben Crump and the Massey family at the New Mount Pilgrim Church in Chicago Tuesday. 

Sharpton said, “Yes, we want the officer prosecuted, but we also need an Illinois law in Sonya Massey’s name. The law would prohibit officers from switching from district to district and make suspensions, terminations and moves transparent.”  The social justice advocate said he would keep the pressure on nationally to pass a law. But in the meantime, it can be done here in the state.

Massey was killed in her home on July 6 by now former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson, who had worked for six law enforcement agencies in four years.   

“You cannot be switching precincts,” said Sharpton.  If you’re bad in one precinct, why would we think all of a sudden you had some sort of Damascus Road, knock off the horse, change of heart in another district? A bad cop is a bad cop.”

Sharpton said it would have been illegal for Sangamon County to hire Grayson if the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was law. “I’m telling everyone running for office, I want to know what you’re going to do about the shooting of people like Massey.” 

He pointed out that Vice President Kamala Harris was one of the drafters of the George Floyd Act in the Senate in 2021. The legislation passed the House but stalled in the Senate.  

Sharpton said we should all ask former President Donald Trump why he opposed the Act. Trump is in Chicago Wednesday to speak to the National Association of Black Journalists convention.  

About an hour prior to Tuesday’s press conference, Attorney Ben Crump also received news from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Union that a grievance filed on behalf of Grayson, asking for reinstatement and back wages, was withdrawn. Crump said it was proof that when “we stand together in unity, we will prevail.” 

A “Remembering Sonya Massey” rally was held following the press conference.