Initiative bearing Manuel Ellis’ name aims to end chokeholds in Washington

Video shot by witnesses gives people a glimpse of what happened March 3, the night Manuel Ellis died in Tacoma police custody.

The Pierce County medical examiner ruled Ellis' death a homicide. The report said he was handcuffed, his feet were hobbled with a belt and a spit mask was placed over his head.

“There was no dignity at all. They let my brother die in the street,” said Monet Carter-Mixon, Ellis' sister.

Ellis' sister and brother gathered Wednesday alongside their attorney to announce Initiative 1300, a measure that addresses discrimination and underrepresentation. The initiative aims to end the use of chokeholds by law enforcement.

“The chokehold is an archaic means of controlling another human being that is wholly unnecessary at this time,” said James Bible, Ellis family attorney.

Investigators said Ellis assaulted officers and resisted arrest, which are reports Ellis' family disagrees with.

“Mannie wasn’t doing anything wrong. There was no need for the police to interact with him,” said Carter-Mixon.

The family requested an independent state-led investigation into his death.

While they wait, they’re putting effort into I-1300, the Manuel Ellis Washington Anti-Discrimination Act. They said it addresses excessive force and systemic inequities in society that disproportionately impact communities of color, such as health care and access to a future COVID-19 vaccine.

“We can’t stop what happened to our brother, you know, right now,” said Carter-Mixon. “With the measures that are in place here we could get justice if something like this is to happen again to another Washingtonian, especially a Washingtonian that is part of the BIPOC or the LGBTQIA community.”

I-1300 needs more than 300,000 signatures by the end of the year in order for it to go to the Washington State Legislature.

The family of Manuel Ellis, who died in Tacoma police custody, released legislation bearing his name. Watch a video of the media briefing below.

RAW: Family of Manuel Ellis, who died in police custody, release legislation bearing his name

Cox Media Group