Manuel Ellis’ family, supporters take to the streets to protest Tacoma police verdict
Shortly after the verdict acquitting three Tacoma police in the death of Manuel Ellis was announced, Ellis family members and others gathered beneath the Manny Ellis mural at South 11th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way on Hilltop.
Seated on the curb was Ellis’ mother, Marcia Carter-Patterson, who other family members attempted to shield from the news media.
Shortly thereafter, Ellis’ sister Monet Carter-Mixon, grabbed a bullhorn and led the group into the middle of the intersection. She vented her anger at the verdict while dragging construction barriers into the street and telling drivers to turn around.
“My brother was murdered,” Carter-Mixon said through the bullhorn at one point before exhorting people who live or work nearby to take to the streets in protest. “Where are you at, Tacoma?”
When a Sound Transit trolley approached the adjacent station, she placed a barrier in front of it. The street car eventually retreated.
Tacoma police motorcycle units blocked off intersections in the surrounding streets to keep traffic from entering the area.
Various people took over the bullhorn, including newly elected Tacoma City Council member Jamika Scott.
All expressed frustration at the justice system and criticized the Police Department and the news media’s coverage of the case, saying it was not thorough and too trusting of police.
Several protesters held signs in support of Ellis and his family. A few passersby took issue with the demonstration and got into shouting matches with Carter-Mixon.
Protesters gathered later in the evening to march down MLK carrying signs and candles, chanting, “No justice, no peace” and “Manny Ellis,” at one point stopping in front of the Tacoma police precinct office nearby.
This story was originally published December 21, 2023 at 7:16 PM.
