At a rally held at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park on Tuesday evening, civil rights leaders stood with Massey's grieving relatives. During the emotionally charged gathering, they called for Sheriff Jack Campbell to step down .
Massey's bereft son, Malachi Hill Massey, expressed his profound loss: "My mother was everything to me. I love her with my whole heart. It's just overwhelming."
National civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, alongside Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Jesse Jackson, supported the family during a press briefing.
Crump condemned the unnecessary violence, stating: "She needed a helping hand. She did not need a bullet to the face."
Sharpton emphasised the need for legislative change: "We need an Illinois law made out in her name. We need to name it after her, that you cannot be switching precincts."
There are growing demands for a new Illinois statute to enforce greater transparency when officers transfer between departments. Records indicate that prior to the fatal incident, Grayson had been employed by six different law enforcement agencies over four years.
Massey's family has been vocal in demanding the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell following a public meeting in Springfield on Monday night. Despite admitting his department's shortcomings, he dismissed calls for his resignation.
"I stand here today before you with arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness," he declared. "I ask Ms. Massey and her family for forgiveness. I offer up no excuses. What I do is offer our attempt to do better, to be better."
He further stated: "I will not abandon the sheriff's office at this most critical moment. That would solve nothing."
Campbell secured his position in 2018 and was unchallenged in the 2022 election.
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