Heather Ellis, 20 years old in January 2007, did something in Wal-mart in Kennett, Missouri, that affected the rest of her life. Ellis was accused of cutting a queue. On the other hand, all those involved in this incident have been accused of targeting the young black woman because of race.

The customers and clerk complained. The store manager notified the store security. The situation became worse. Ellis was arrested at the car park. Police and Ellis had different versions of what ensued.

Ellis claimed she was roughed up by Wal-mart customers, the clerk and shortchanged. Police claimed Ellis was verbally abusive in Wal-mart. Ellis allegedly refused to leave Wal-mart after being told to do so by the manager. According to the police report, Ellis had disturbed the peace, trespassed, and resisted arrest.

If Ellis is sentenced, she may face a maximum of 15 years in prison. All that for cutting a queue and the confrontations.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, a black professor at Syracuse University, is trying to help Heather Ellis. Watkins, Your Black World Coalition and National Action Network run by The Rev. Al Sharpton, have created a website, SaveHeatherEllis.com, to highlight her case. Signatures are collected. Sharpton and the group want to send their petition with signatures, to the US Attorney General, Eric Holder. They intend to seek the AG’s help to intervene for Heather Ellis.

Heather Ellis story.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm and is filed under Gossip.