Washington state House overwhelmingly passes ban on hog-tying by police

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state House overwhelmingly approved legislation Wednesday that would ban police from hog-tying suspects, a restraint technique that has long drawn concern because of the risk of suffocation.

“This practice is dehumanizing, and it’s dangerous,” said Democratic Rep. Sharlett Mena during the vote. “And yet hog-tying is still authorized by a small number of jurisdictions in Washington.”

The vote came nearly four years after Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, died in Tacoma, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Seattle, facedown with his hands and feet cuffed together behind him. The case became a touchstone for racial justice demonstrators in the Pacific Northwest.

“He was hog-tied by police. He pleaded he couldn’t breathe, and he died in the heart of our community,” Mena said.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«READ MORE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> READ MORE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Effort to repeal Washington’s landmark carbon program puts budget in limbo with billions at stake </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Man to plead guilty in ‘killing spree’ of eagles and other birds for feathers prized by tribes </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Arizona State beats No. 21 Washington State 73-61, snapping Cougars’ eight-game win streak </bsp-custom-headline> </bsp-list-loadmore>

The bill, which was previously passed by the Senate, will need to go back to that body for verification before heading to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk.

Republican Rep.