PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- As the clock ticks down to the start of the Sean Grayson trial, roads begin to get blocked off and people begin to gather near the Peoria County Courthouse.

Just like inside the jam-packed second-floor courtroom, emotions are high just outside the front doors of the building on the streets of Downtown Peoria.

9 a.m.

People could be seen outside the courthouse holding signs that call for racial equity just before 9 a.m. Monday.

"Unite now against racist violence," one sign read.

8:30 a.m.

Just under 20 media outlet members began lining up outside the front doors of the courthouse as they worked their way inside.

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