Quad Cities Interfaith holds "Say Her Name" vigil to honor Sonya Massey (2024)

Sonya Massey. Ki'Azia Miller. Breonna Taylor. Eleanor Northington.

They are four of the Black women killed by law enforcement in the United States since 2019.

On Sunday, community members gathered at Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities for a "Say Her Name!" vigil to honor the lives of 33 women killed by law enforcement and call for action on police violence against Black women.

The vigil, organized by Quad Cities Interfaith, was held in wake of the July 6 death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old woman who was shot and killed by a now former Sangamon CountySheriff deputy, Sean Grayson, in Springfield, Illinois.

Massey, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, called the police for help after believing she heard an intruder outside her home. When deputies arrived, she greeted them by saying "Don't hurt me" and led them inside before struggling to find her ID. When following Grayson's order to remove a pot of water from her stove, Massey said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." Grayson then yelled at Massey to drop the pot of water before firing his gun three times, hitting her below the left eye.

Janice Williams, a member of the Quad-Cities Interfaith Board, shared these details to Sunday's attendees before sharing her own experiences as a Black woman with paranoid schizophrenia.

She spoke about how Massey's death impacted her, also sharing some grim statistics, such as how people with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police.

"As someone who has an unseen diagnosis, and as a (Black woman), I feel like I have to be on guard," Williams said. "Sonya Massey's death— as well as the countless other instances of police brutality againstBlackwomen— makes me afraid of law enforcement, when I should feel safe."

Williams said she used to trust law enforcement and has called them for help in the past. But in relating to Massey's situation, that trust is lost.

"…That feeling of safety evaporates," she said. "I am so disillusioned. On the one hand I have experienced positive things. On the other hand, there are the bad cops that have murdered innocent people with no regard for human life. You just never know what you're gonna get— but this situation has tipped the scale for me."

Following a pastoral reflection by Metropolitan Community Church Pastor Rich Hendricks, QCI internArayah Westmoreland led a "Say Her Name" call-and-response, listing each of the 33 names.

Michael Guster, president of the NAACP of Davenport, took over the podium next— giving a "call for action" to pass the federalGeorge Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

"I'm almost speechless, when you read that many names," he said. "And I've got to say this, if (the U.S.) would've had that many white women killed by police, Congress would've passed some kind of deal two years ago. ... But we're here today (to) remember Sonya Massey, (who) had her life tragically cut short at the hands of those who are sworn to protect and serve."

Guster said this is a "stark reminder" of deep-seeded issues within the U.S. criminal justice and law enforcement systems, and Massey is "more than just a victim."

"As we honor (Massey's) memory, we must confront the harsh reality of systemic roles within our law enforcement practices," he said."How many Black lives must be lost?"

Stalled in the U.S. Senate, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act proposes to create a National Police Misconduct Registry; limit qualified immunity for police officers and law enforcement personnel; establish more rigorous vetting processes and hiring standards for law enforcement; require officers to complete regular training on racial profiling, implicit bias, excessive force and other reforms, such as independent oversight committees to monitor police misconduct.

"Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable," when holding law enforcement accountable, Guster said, especially at the local level.

To help prevent police brutality in the Quad-Cities, he said the Davenport NAACP meets with officials from the Davenport Police Department, Scott County Sheriff's Officeand Iowa State Patrol monthly.

Guster said this dialogue has been "very good" so far.

"There are some things we could do (to improve) the hiring side," he said. "But that, too, presents a (nationwide) problem within police departments."

In closing, Sunday's vigil attendees sang "We Shall Overcome."

Among the crowd was former Iowa House Rep. Phyllis Thede. While the circ*mstances leading to Sunday's vigil are tragic, she said the gathering was important, because women's safety and solidarity is important.

"… Especially today, I think we've all come together as Black women (and otherwise) to support each other," Thede said. "Because a lot of times, we're out there by ourselves."

To her, instances of police brutality against men tend to garner more national attention and discussion.

"We haven't given enough attention to the women who have fallen the same fate," Thede said, later speaking about her own bouts with hateful rhetoric and misogyny in the Iowa legislature. "It (racism, violence) is a chaos that begins to show up in every area of our lives, you know? So we want to make sure that 'danger' doesn't continue to happen."

Another attendee,Rock Island residentKelly Kruse, said police brutality "has been a problem for a long time" and criticized the lack of congressional action.

"Every time, people get outraged, but it doesn't get addressed," Kruse said, emphasizing the importance of local, community organizing. "There needs to be action."

"We all have to change our way of thinking," Kruse added. "When somebody is is assaulted by the police, in their own home after they call the police (for help)… I don't want to hear people make excuses; this is a person being paid to serve and protect you, he needs to be better."