Rallies Planned for Heather Ellis in Kennett, Missouri

Kennett, MO. (PRWEB) October 28, 2009 -- Heather Ellis, a college student out of Kennett, MO is now facing 15 years in prison if she is sentenced after being accused of cutting line at a local Walmart. Her case has gotten the attention of the nation, and has been the subject of extensive online protests. Please see Missouri case number 08DU-CR00039-01, Dunklin County District Court for more details.

This requires that the prosecutor be made to realize that his power is not omnipotent and that he cannot destroy lives at his own discretion.

The case opens up a can of racial worms for a small town that is known for having the strictest legal system in the state of Missouri. Ellis, a college student and minister's daughter with no criminal record, has been traveling the country to get support for her case. The work paid off when her family's story was featured on CNN recently. To learn more about the case, visitTheHeatherEllisCase.com. Thousands around the nation have rallied to support Ellis, including many leaders, scholars and activists. Ellis goes on trial on November 18th and faces up to 15-years in prison if convicted.

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National Protest Planned in Support of Black Student Facing 15 Years for Cutting Line at Walmart: Dr Boyce Watkins speaks w Al Sharpton

For immediate Release

Please call S. Prewitt at (888) 315- 1591 for interviews or email Justice@YourBlackWorld.com.

Dr. Boyce Watkins to Rally for College Student Facing 15 Years in Prison for Cutting Line at Walmart

(Syracuse, NY) – Prominent Syracuse University Professor Dr. Boyce Watkins has called for a national response to the case of Heather Ellis, a college student facing 15-years in prison for allegedly cutting line at a Walmart store in Kennett, MO.  Dr. Watkins will be holding a rally in Kennett, along with a march to start at the Walmart where the incident took place.  The rally and march are going to take place on November 16, 2009 at 11 am.  Dr. Watkins is encouraging those who cannot make the trip to write letters to Walmart and US Attorney General Eric Holder, as well as consider holding rallies at their own local Walmart stores.

The Heather Ellis case has gained national attention due to the fact that Ellis has no criminal record and her family has received threats from the Ku Klux Klan.  Ellis’ family felt that it would be difficult for Heather to get adequate legal representation, since many of the town’s law professionals work together.  That is when Dr. Watkins offered his support, along with local chapters of the ACLU, NAACP, National Action Network, The Sean Bell Coalition and the SCLC.

“Heather’s case is both shocking and compelling, because she could be the daughter of anyone in America,” says Watkins, who is the Resident Scholar for AOL Black Voices. “One can’t imagine that in 2009, a young lady with no criminal past can have her entire future taken away over one incident at Walmart.”

Watkins is advising those attending the rally to be careful, since the town may not be a safe place for African Americans to visit.  Walter Currie Jr., a 15-year old in nearby Poplar Bluff, MO, was doused with gasoline and set on fire by a classmate just a few months ago.

“I am actually a little concerned about the safety of those who attend the rally,” says Watkins, who is a weekly contributor to the Al Sharpton Radio Show.  “We can’t assume that because we are protesting, we are somehow safe from the Draconian justice system this town imposes on the Black community.  The truth is that we are all in jeopardy.”

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University, and founder of The Your Black World Coalition.  To find out more about the Heather Ellis Case, please visit www.TheHeatherEllisCase.com or www.SaveHeatherEllis.com.  For interviews, please reach out to S. Prewitt at (888) 315-1591 or email Justice@yourblackworld.com. ###

Black Woman Faces 15 Years in Prison for Cutting Line at Walmart: KKK Threatens Her Family

For Immediate Release

Please call (901) 413-0203 or email information@BoyceWatkins.com for interviews

Kennett, MO. – Heather Ellis, a young college student out of Kennett, MO is now facing 15 years in prison if she is sentenced after being accused of cutting line at a local Walmart. Her case has gotten the attention of the nation, and has been the subject of extensive online protests.

Heather was in a Walmart store 3 years ago with her cousin. The two split up to find the shortest line. Since her cousin was in the shorter line, Heather joined him. That’s when the clerk accused Heather of cutting in front of the other customers. An argument ensued, leading to the manager and security guard being called, and finally the police.

The incident left Ellis, an honor student on her way to medical school, charged with disturbing the peace, trespassing and two counts of assaulting a police officer. After Heather refused to sign a plea agreement, Stephen Sokoloff, the town’s prosecutor, filed felony charges against Heather.

Ellis goes on trial on November 15^th and faces 15 years in prison. The community has expressed its outrage with rallies and protests, which have led to threats from the Ku Klux Klan. A police officer delivered a card to the family from the Klan and Heather’s father believes that the officer’s delivery of the card was part of a broader plot to intimidate the family. He also argues that Walmart should release the surveillance tape to show that his daughter is innocent.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, a prominent black professor at Syracuse University, has stepped in to become involved in Heather’s case. Watkins, along with the Your Black World Coalition and National Action Network, have created a website, “SaveHeatherEllis.com,” and have generated thousands of signatures in support of her case. He has also called for the prosecutor in the case, Stephen Sokoloff, to be investigated by the Justice Department.

“I have spoken with the family and other residents of the Kennett community, and the truth is that there does not appear to be justice for African Americans in this town,” says Dr. Watkins, who appears weekly on the Al Sharpton Radio show. “This requires that the prosecutor be made to realize that his power is not omnipotent and that he cannot destroy lives at his own discretion.”

Watkins is planning to participate in a rally to be held in Kennett at the courthouse near the date of the November 18th trial. The date and location for the rally have not been set, as the family has received resistance when attempting to get permits to hold rallies. For more information, you can visit SaveHeatherEllis.com or you can join the Your Black World Coalition by visiting www.YourBlackWorld.com.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and Resident Scholar for AOL Black Voices. He is also the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. For interviews with Dr. Watkins or a family member of Heather Ellis, please call (901) 413-0203 or email information@boycewatkins.com. ###