Walmart scuffle leads to charges and issues of racism

ST. LOUIS — A rally is scheduled on Nov. 16 in Kennett in support of a woman charged with assaulting two police officers, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace.

The now 24-year-old Heather Ellis has said she moved into a check-out lane at Walmart to join a cousin on Jan. 6, 2007. Other customers said she cut ahead of them.

Kennett police said they arrested Ellis after she wouldn't calm down or obey requests to leave the property. They said in court filings that she kicked one officer and struck another trying to arrest her.

Ellis, who is black, said she was pushed by a white customer then called racial slurs by officers who physically mistreated her.

Her trial is scheduled later this month in Dunklin County.