Tacoma’s Deputy Mayor Keith Blocker talks about his work with youth in the Black community, the legacy of anti-Blackness and systemic racism. We also discuss Black Lives Matter in Tacoma and where the movement may be going.
As cities and neighborhoods rise up to demonstrate against police brutality, we have our own worries about Tacoma Police practices after Manuel Ellis died in police custody. The medical examiner determined the death to be homicide due to asphyxia, but the community and local leaders still have very few answers to the most basic questions about what happened on March 3rd, and why everyone was left in the dark until June. In Tacoma, the protests have been almost entirely peaceful. Keith believes that is largely due to the efforts of Mayor Woodards, who has promised there will be accountability and answers.
The investigation into Manny Ellis’s death continues. The protests will continue as well. We are at a moment of potential. Are we ready to finally make changes for a more equal and equitable Tacoma? Are we ready to become anti-racists?
Let us know what you think.
Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma truetacoma@gmail.com
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