Beyond The Borders: Justice For Eric Lurry Rally Set For Joliet

JOLIET, IL — The controversial death of 37-year-old Joliet resident Eric Lurry in the custody of the Joliet Police Department has sparked outrage and anger among many people in the Joliet area. Now, a Chicago-based social justice group will be demonstrating in Joliet on Saturday.

"This weekend, we've teamed up with the Team String Foundation to bring a protest to Joliet,Illinois, seeking Justice for Eric Lurry!" Beyond The Borders Chicago announced in Tuesday's news release. "Eric was killed by police back in January, and they have been trying to cover it up since. We want these cops fired and persecuted, and for justice to truly be served."

The Joliet protest will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Joliet Police Station, 150 W. Washington St.

Patch covered Beyond the Borders Chicago's rally in June and that event drew more than 150 demonstrators in Chicago's Mount Greenwood Neighborhood.

As for Saturday event in downtown Joliet, "We will begin with a rally in front of the police department on behalf of Eric Lurry, and then the march will head around the police department and city hall," Beyond the Borders Chicago proclaimed.

"Please dress for the weather —we intend to march rain or shine. Please post the flyers and send to friends/family directly to help us spread the word! There is strength in numbers, so we need as many people out in support as possible! We can’t wait to see y’all there!"

About two weeks ago, Joliet Patch reported that the Chicago law firm of Erickson & Oppenheimer filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Joliet and several Joliet police officers who were present as Lurry was dying in the backseat of a Joliet police car on Jan. 28 as a result of ingesting bags of drugs in his mouth.

The officers named in the federal lawsuit are: Sgt. Doug May, Lt. Jeremy Harrison, Officer Andrew McCue and field training officer Jose Tellez.

"At that time, Defendants McCue, Tellez, May and Harrison immediately recognized that Mr. Lurry was in medical distress and not fully conscious," Erickson & Oppenheimer argues. "Despite Mr. Lurry's obvious serious medical needs, no Defendant summoned medical attention for Mr. Lurry at that time. Instead, Defendants May and McCue attempted to retrieve bags containing narcotics from Mr. Lurry's mouth.

To read Patch's article about the federal lawsuit go here.