Posted on 05/01/2018 7:13:15 PM PDT by BBell
Activists protested at Waffle Houses Atlanta headquarters on Monday, demanding the restaurant chain drop charges against customer Chikesia Clemons, who was violently arrested at an Alabama location on April 22.
Waffle House, however, doubled down on its defense of employees who called the police, and claimed Clemons was threatening the workers with violence.
The activists, including those representing causes like March for Our Lives, the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice, and the NAACP, asked Waffle House to withdraw charges against Clemons, who was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The activists also asked Waffle House to release video of the incident that will prove officers threatened Ms. Clemons, issue a statement rebuking the mishandling of Clemons and take disciplinary action against employees involved.
The activists called for a nationwide boycott of Waffle House beginning on Friday.
Clemons, 25, was in a Waffle House in Saraland, Alabama, with a friend when three police officers, summoned by employees, forced her to the floor, exposing her breasts, and handcuffed her, according to a video taken by Clemons friend that has since gone viral. Police said Clemons and her friend were drunk and brought alcohol into the restaurant. Clemons, they said, told officers she would shoot this place up.
Waffle House quickly released a statement defending the appropriate actions of the Saraland Police Department.
On Monday in Atlanta, Waffle House spokesman Pat Warner told demonstrators the chains employees are specifically trained to contact police anytime there is concern about their personal safety or that of their customers.
Previously, we stated that upon reviewing security video and eyewitness statements, it was our belief that our associates calling the police was necessary and appropriate, the company said in a statement.
In the days since, we have gathered additional details and information. Witnesses say several threats were made to our associates including threats of violence, and thats why the police were called.
The statement said the companys investigation into the incident will conclude this week.
Police have said they are investigating actions of the officers involved.
Clemons herself spoke publicly for the first time on Sunday, appearing on the MSNBC show PoliticsNation with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Clemons said the arrest has been so hard on her. I cant eat, I cant sleep, Im constantly crying. I have a 6-year-old daughter, Im trying to be strong for her, she said.
She sees me crying, she starts to cry, so its very hard on me at the time right now.
Clemons expressed gratitude to those supporting and defending her.
I ask you guys continue to be behind me as you fight for justice for me, she said.
Her attorney, Benjamin Crump, told Sharpton: There are two independent white women who were in the restaurant that night that said what the waitress did, and, more importantly, what the Saraland police did, Reverend Al, was just unacceptable.
Crump implored viewers to stand up for our unarmed black women.
Sharpton, Crump, and other activists will be in Mobile, Alabama, a short drive from Saraland, on Tuesday for a town hall meeting on the incident.
Let them boycott waffle house. I doubt it goes anywhere. Where else you going to eat cheap at all hours of the morning.
The closest Waffle House is in Arizona. A long drive for a buycott, but I’m in.
But then again I can imagine the makeup of any jury …
Ben Crump has to be one of the most dumb sounding mother ####ers I’ve ever heard.
I wouldn’t let him represent me on a parking ticket issue.
Let them march or do whatever the #### it is they do.
I dont eat at Waffle House anyway. Don’t know if there’s any up north. Or else I would eat there as a statement.
A boycott by Sharpton’s groupies might improve waffle house business.
Bring in Kanye to straighten out da bishes.
I have a 6-year-old daughter, I’m trying to be strong for her,” she said.
Start by not being in a Waffle House after 2:00 AM.
The closest one to me is the one that dude shot up last week. I wouldn’t go in a Waffle House at 3am without a bazooka.
That was a gentle take-down. They treated her with kid gloves the whole time. Soft-spoken, no yelling or cursing. Very professional job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3eI5F-AUVw
Chikesia meet Stormy.
On Christmas day, traveling through Missouri and Illinois, I’ll tell ya the only place we could find any food was Waffle House.
He may have been a mediocre lawyer before he jumped on the “civil rights” band wagon. Lot of money in it.
I watched it. It was no beat down...
I’ll have a chikesia, scattered, covered, and smothered.
I know people in the area and they say Chikesia showed up with a drink in her hands.
If blacks boycott, it will be a safer to eat there.
Start by not being in a Waffle House after 2:00 AM, and drunk
Oh please let them boycot. Please please please...It will be so much nicer and safer there.
#5. re “A boycott by Sharpton’s groupies might improve waffle house business”. Well, it sure will improve the IQ level there as well as the literacy rate.
I doubt if Chik-Fil-A put this out bit it nicely sums up both boycott situations:
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