Mother Mary Smith Celebrates 103rd Birthday
COMMENTARY
By Daisha Williams
When Sonya Massey was killed by police in Illinois last month, her death prompted outrage, grief, and terror across the nation. Oakland responded with not one, but three rallies held during the last week of July.
Massey met an unfair and unjust death on July 6 near Springfield, Illinois. Fearing a possible intruder in her home, Massey had called 911 for help. In the ensuing exchange, Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed her.
Massey was a 36-year-old Black woman, a mother, and a person suffering from a mental health crisis. She was exactly the type of person that communities should support, not destroy.
The In Our Names Network issued a national call to action for Sunday July 28. On this day, cities across the country rallied in Massey’s name. Oakland has never been quiet when it comes to police brutality, and this was no different.
In Oakland, the Anti Police Terror Project (APTP) held a vigil in response to this call. People gathered in Downtown Oakland in front of the mural of police victim Breonna Taylor on 15th Street and Broadway. People were quiet, somber as they gathered. APTP provided supplies for people to write notes to place on the altar. Cat Brooks, co-founder of APTP, shared powerful testimony.
She detailed the horrendous situation while driving home the fact that Massey had done nothing at all. At no point had Massey been threatening, Brooks said, she was only asking for help. Brooks revealed that even after 15 years of organizing for people lost under similar circumstances, this situation hit her a little harder.
After speaking, Brooks performed libations, a ritual intended to invite ancestral spirits into a space. People called out the names of dozens of activists, children, and family that our communities have lost.
From the Breonna Taylor mural the group walked to Oscar Grant Plaza while chanting ‘Say Her Name.’ At the plaza, Brooks called up a number of speakers to the mic, including Oscar Grant’s mother, father, and uncle. After the speakers were done, they transitioned into an open mic segment, inviting anyone who felt moved to speak.
The APTP vigil was an incredible demonstration of community support. There was an ASL interpreter present to ensure that the space was accessible for everyone. There were healing justice coordinators there to support as well.
People from every race and background were present, including many people wearing keffiyehs, a Palestinian scarf symbolizing resistance. There were people of all ages, children there with their grandparents. This felt like a group made up of every part of the community.
The next day, Monday July 29, the second rally for Massey occurred at Lake Merritt Amphitheater from 6-8 pm.
After a short statement from one of the unnamed organizers, and a ceremony performed by Awon Ohun Omnira (Voices of Freedom), the remainder of the event prioritized the voices of the community. Most of those people were not polished speakers, they were regular community members sharing how Massey’s killing had affected them.
This grassroots event felt more raw, shining a light on the ways that brutality ripples through our community. When one Black person is murdered, that pain is shared with the community. It showed the unique ways that we are all affected, but also the similarities, the common fear, grief, and anger.
Jumia, one of the organizers said that “It healed something in me but opened something up at the same time.” I think that describes how many people at this vigil were feeling.
Black women take on a lot of this pain, especially because they often carry the burden of consoling the community as well as themselves while trying to keep themselves safe in a world that is unsafe.
Later last week on Friday, Aug. 2, the third vigil held to honor Massey was held at Fruitvale Village in Oakland at 1 p.m. The event began with this writer, as the organizer of the event, sharing some words and performing libations.
I then called up some speakers including Nairobi Barnes, the 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate and representatives from CURYJ. The event closed after holding space for an open mic section.
Three events in one week shows how much the murder of Sonya Massey affected the Black community. In the two weeks following her death a dozen more lives were lost to the hands of police brutality nationwide.
As long as this keeps happening, Oakland will keep chanting, filling the streets, screaming, and crying for lost brothers and sisters.
