Viral video of white policemen wrestling black woman to the ground at an Alabama Waffle House sparks protests
A viral video of police officers tackling an unarmed black woman to the ground at a Waffle House restaurant in Saraland, Alabama and arresting her has sparked outrage and protests in the region. Multiple people reportedly demonstrated outside the restaurant on Sunday following the incident.
The Saraland Police Department announced that it was investigating the arrest of 25-year-old Chikesia Clemons in the city of Mobile, Alabama.
The incident came to public knowledge after a video of the incident was posted on social media, which showed two white police officers throwing the black woman to the ground, nearly stripping her in the process.
According to the police report, the incident began around 2:45 am when Clemons reportedly asked a Waffle House employee for plastic utensils after placing an order. A restaurant employee then informed Clemons that she would be required to pay an additional charge of 50 cents for the cutlery, which reportedly initiated an argument, AL.com reported.
Clemons and her friend, Canita Adams, reportedly argued that they had never been asked to pay an extra charge for the cutlery before.
The police report added that the employee canceled their order, after which Clemons asked for the restaurant manager's contact information.
Black Alabama woman who was wrestled to the ground & partially stripped by 2 white officers in a Waffle House scuffle, has a local city councilman calling for answers and an investigation.
While talking to AL.com, Clemons' mother, Chiquitta Clemons-Howard, said that the eatery called the police without giving a warning to her daughter or asking her to leave.
"When they went to go get the card, that's when the police showed up," Clemons-Howard said, adding, "The officer should've come in and said we need you to leave."
The video shows two police officers at the scene as one appears to hold Clemons's wrist, while she says: "You're not going to grab on me...for no reason."
The video then cuts to the officers throwing her to the ground while she says "I haven't done anything."
When the officers attempt to pin her to her ground, the woman asks: "What are you doing?" and the one officer appears to reply, "I'm about to break your arm, that's what I'm about to do."
Clemons was subsequently booked on charges of disorderly conduct, as well as resisting arrest, was placed on a $1,000 bond, according to reports.
The Saraland Police Department released a statement online stating that it is "aware of the arrest at Waffle House and the accompanying video on social media."
"Saraland’s public safety director, Chief JC West, and the mayor are aware of the situation and are awaiting the results of the investigation.
"When the facts of the investigation are gathered, we will have a response. Our department strives for transparency and we encourage our community to be aware of current events," a press release stated.