Protesters Shut Down Joliet Intersection, Demand Justice

JOLIET, IL - The protest demanding for justice for Eric Lurry that began at 4 p.m., Sunday shut down the intersection of Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street by 4:30 p.m. The protesters walked around the four corner area twice and then formed a circle in the street.

Chanting "Justice for BJ" and "Black Lives Matter," the crowd that approached more than 100 at moments throughout the 90 minutes did make their way back to the corner of Larkin and Jefferson, in front of the White Castle. Although Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner would not confirm the number of officers that were on hand, more than 20 responded and a number of sergeants and Roechner himself was present.

"They did the right thing,” he said of the officers’ efforts to clear protesters out of the intersection. “It’s against the law to be in the street.

"The last thing we need is somebody to get hit by a car, an officer or a protester, that would be horrible.”

The protest, which was organized by And JustUS 4 All and attended by Will County Progressives, was calling for justice for Eric “BJ” Lurry, who died in January after an arrest by the Joliet Police Department. Videos of the arrest were leaked by Joliet Police Sergeant Javier Esqueda who was stripped of his police powers. A petition is circulating asking for his reinstatement. Members of the Joliet media, some Joliet leaders and Joliet city council and administration have also seen the video. In the video, Joliet Police Officer Doug May is seen slapping Eric Lurry and calling him a bitch.

Suzanne Ibarra, chairman of the Will County Progressives, said the group was there to demand change.

"Our group is here to talk about police reform proposals because if we had police reform, BJ would probably be alive today," she said.

Loretta Hobbs, cofounder of And JustUS 4 All said this protest was organized with the blessing of the Lurry family.

“I’m hurt and I’m thankful that all these people come out and support me because what Joliet Police Department did was not right,” Nicole Lurry, Eric Lurry’s wife said. “Everyone that had a hand in killing Eric Lurry Jr. needs to be arrested.”

Eric Lurry’s sister Shakelah Jamison-Payton agreed.

“This is a disgrace and that if it was their children, they would want justice as well,” Jamison-Payton said. “I have a sister and a host of nieces and nephews that are grieving and in pain and all we want is justice.”

For Jamison-Payton, justice looks like officers being charged.

Others who attended just wanted to see injustices addressed.

“I’m here because I’m doing what’s right,” Javier Garcia said. "The judicial system, the government is corrupt. I feel like everybody has a story.

“What breaks them down is seeing Mexicans and Blacks come together.”

Garcia attended with his brother Angel Garcia, 17 and his 7-year-old younger brother.

“Everybody is going to speak out when they see the crowd is here,” Javier Garcia said. “We’re doing what’s right.

“I have a 7-year-old brother and he is afraid of the police and it shouldn’t be like that.”

At one point during the protest, members from the Lurry family spoke with Roechner demanding answers on the investigation.

Nicole Lurry asked about protocol and specifically when Joliet Police Sgt. Doug May held Lurry’s slapped Lurry and called him a bitch if that was protocol.

Roechner asked the crowd to recall what happened when he said he seen the video.

“When I saw the video, he was put on leave,” Roechner said of the administrative duty that May is currently on.

The crowd dispersed around 6 p.m. and Joliet Police officers shut down directions of Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue for an unrelated protest.