Manny Ellis’ family, organizers use donated funds to feed Tacoma residents

TACOMA — Just after noon, lunch was served.

Set up in front of a vibrant mural of Manuel Ellis on South 11th Street and the words “JUSTICE FOR MANNY,” local organizers have been offering local residents hot food and warm clothes every day since jury deliberations began last week in the historic trial of three Tacoma police officers charged with the death of Ellis.

Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, died on March 3, 2020, after he was shocked with a Taser, choked, handcuffed, hogtied, fitted with a spit hood, and knelt on by officers, after he repeatedly told police he couldn’t breathe.

Over the last three months, the Ellis family and their supporters have shown up nearly every day to watch the trial unfold. Community members donated hundreds of dollars to the racial justice advocacy group Tacoma Action Collective to help set up a meal train for family members and activists attending the trial, as well as cover the cost of gas and parking.

Now, as they wait for a verdict, the Ellis family and organizers have decided to give back to the community with the leftover funds. In addition to breakfast and lunch, volunteers have been providing donated clothes and hygiene products. Jamika Scott, an organizer with Tacoma Action Collective, said they’ve served about 35 to 45 people each mealtime, mostly homeless residents and low-income workers.

“This is a real good service,” said Abraham Morfin, a construction worker who became homeless about three weeks ago and is currently sheltering at Tacoma Rescue Mission. He sat on concrete blocks just steps away from “Manny’s Mural,” eating a slice of sausage pizza.

“I’m enjoying this food, I’m blessed today,” he said.

The effort is meant to honor Ellis and his “spirit of wanting to help people and lift people up,” said Scott, who was elected to the Tacoma City Council in November.

“In a lot of ways, Manny went overlooked,” said Scott, after helping set up hot trays. “A lot of people who talk about justice for him … would’ve walked right past him on the street when he was struggling, just as they’re doing to a lot of our houseless community members now.”

Under two canopy tents, the day’s lunch spread was laid out on a pair of folding tables: boxes of pizza, chicken wings, bags of chips, a hot water dispenser for packets of hot cocoa and cider. Next to the food offerings was a bin of zip-top bags with essentials — toothbrush and toothpaste, mask, hand warmer. In another box were donated cardigans, and packs of socks and underwear.

Some who have received meals here have shared their own stories of encounters with the Tacoma Police Department that echo Ellis’, said Jaleesa Trapp, another organizer with Tacoma Action Collective.

One person who showed up for a meal Monday said the case was particularly triggering for him, recounting a time where he was arrested by officers.

“He said, ‘I’m just lucky to be alive, that could’ve been me,’” Trapp said.

The daily meals have allowed the Ellis family and their supporters a space to continue to come together, while also keeping a close eye on the courthouse just blocks away. Earlier in the day Tuesday, jury deliberations had to start over for the second day in a row, this time because a juror was relieved after testing positive for COVID.

“Whatever happens we’ll just reunite and keep fighting the good fight and supporting the [Ellis] family,” said Josh Rizeberg, another organizer with Tacoma Action Collective.