Current:Home > InvestSonya Massey family joins other victims of police violence to plead for change -DataFinance
Sonya Massey family joins other victims of police violence to plead for change
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:51:27
The family members of Sonya Massey and other Black Americans killed by police in recent years are calling for urgent access in Congress to pass police reform measures, including legislation named after George Floyd that has suffered from a series of setbacks and remained largely sidelined for years.
Massey was shot in the face while standing in her kitchen in July, and the former sheriff's deputy who shot her was charged with murder in a case that has drawn national rebuke to police response to mental health crises and hiring practices for law enforcement.
Massey's death has reinvigorated yearslong cries for police reform. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and family members of Tyre Nichols and Breonna Taylor also spoke at a news conference on Friday.
"All I want – all we all want – is justice," said Tamika Palmer, the mother of Taylor, who was killed in 2020 by police officers who entered her apartment in a botched raid to serve a warrant.
"I don’t know why we have to beg for justice," Palmer said. "We are asking you to do the right thing and it’s just that simple."
Donna Massey, Sonya Massey's mother, said that police should not be placed on paid administrative leave when there is clear video evidence of their misconduct.
"We need to stop paying them to go home on a vacation when they kill one of us," she said.
RENEWED CALLS FOR ACTION:Killing of Sonya Massey brings fresh heartache to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd activists
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was first introduced after Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, sparking nationwide racial justice protests in summer 2020. Lawmakers have been trying to pass the act, which included sweeping police reform measures including banning chokeholds and federal no-knock warrants, for years, but it has faced persistent roadblocks.
Most recently, a group of senators reintroduced the legislation in August.
"We need to pass this bill," said RowVaughn Wells, Nichols' mother.
Federal trial begins in Tyre Nichols death
A federal trial began this week for three of the former Memphis police officers charged in Nichols' beating death during a January 2023 traffic stop. Prosecutors told a jury this week that the officers who beat Nichols were inflicting "punishment."
The three officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, are charged with using excessive force, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to witness tamper and witness tampering. Two other officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., took plea deals.
"Today, I stand before you while a federal trial is being held as we speak for three of the officers that murdered my son," Wells, Nichols' mother said Friday. "We have so many kids that are dying by the hands of the police... So I want to say to Congress, all these kids and all our kids that are being murdered, their blood is on your hands."
Contributing: The Memphis Commercial Appeal
veryGood! (694)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Gena Rowlands, Hollywood legend and 'The Notebook' actor, dies at 94
- A rarely seen deep sea fish is found in California, and scientists want to know why
- Jordanian man attacks Florida power facility and private businesses over their support for Israel
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- A rarely seen deep sea fish is found in California, and scientists want to know why
- A fiery Texas politician launched a legal assault on Google and Meta. And he's winning.
- Water crisis in Mississippi capital developed during failures in oversight, watchdog says
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Bills LB Matt Milano out indefinitely with torn biceps
- As school bus burned, driver's heroic actions helped save Colorado kids, authorities say
- Wisconsin man convicted in killings of 3 men near a quarry
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Shop J.Crew Factory’s up to 60% off Sale (Plus an Extra 15%) - Score Midi Dresses, Tops & More Under $30
- Chicago police chief highlights officer training as critical to Democratic convention security
- Bills LB Matt Milano out indefinitely with torn biceps
Recommendation
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
A fiery Texas politician launched a legal assault on Google and Meta. And he's winning.
Justice Department defends Boeing plea deal against criticism by 737 Max crash victims’ families
Sam Taylor
'Rust' movie director Joel Souza breaks silence on Alec Baldwin shooting: 'It’s bizarre'
Hideki Matsuyama will be without regular caddie, coach after their passports and visas were stolen
Lady Gaga’s Brunette Hair Transformation Will Have You Applauding