NWEB Statement on the Murder of Sonya Massey
On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman in Springfield, Illinois, called the police to report a suspected prowler in the area. Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson and another officer arrived at her home to search around.
Sonya can be heard on bodycam footage addressing the officers when she answered the door, saying “Please don’t hurt me.”
After entering the home, tensions rose when Sonya went to the kitchen to pick up a pot of water. Once she picked up the pot, Grayson became aggravated, shouting “You better fucking not, I swear to God I’ll fucking shoot you in your fucking face,” as he pulled out his weapon. Sonya immediately responded with “OK, I’m sorry!” while ducking. The second officer pulled out his gun while Grayson fired his, killing Sonya with a shot to her face.
The Communist Workers’ Platform USA fervently condemns the unambiguously racist and murderous actions of the police. The violence the Black working-class population in America is subjected to daily in the workplaces, on the streets, and even in their own homes is one of the most vile symptoms of the cruel capitalist system for which these police officers serve as willing agents.
Our fight for the emancipation of the working class necessarily includes the struggle against racism. So long as the oppressive, exploitative capitalist system exists for these racist police officers to “protect and serve,” we must struggle for its overthrow. We cannot allow more of our working-class brothers and sisters to be so commonly, so cruelly crushed under the racist boot of capital.
Our hearts are filled with sorrow at the heinous murder of Sonya Massey.