Women’s March demands Waffle House apologize to Chikesia Clemons
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The advocacy organization Women’s March is calling on Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer to demand justice for Chikesia Clemons, the 25-year-old customer who was tackled by police, choked and had her breasts exposed after a dispute over plastic utensils.
“What we saw on that video was a brutal assault and an act of sexual violence perpetrated by law enforcement in your establishment,” read the letter posted by @womensmarch, referring to the April 23 incident at a Waffle House in Saraland, Ala.
Noting that charges have been brought against Clemons “for her own assault,” the letter continues, “This is victim blaming at its most dangerous. We call on Waffle House to demand that the Saraland Police Department drop all charges against Ms. Clemons and offer her a public apology.”
The letter urges supporters to boycott Waffle House until it reverses its stand and offers support to Clemons.
VIDEO: Waffle House locks doors to keep out Black woman, and white man threatens to shoot her
Please read and share our open letter to the CEO of @WaffleHouse We demand justice for #ChikesiaClemons. pic.twitter.com/yOLW1mwcZK
— Women’s March (@womensmarch) April 27, 2018
“We will not stay silent while your company further victimizes a Black woman and survivor of police and sexual violence by supporting the charges against her,” the letter continues.
The mission of the Washington-based Women’s March is to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities,” according to the organization’s website.
Clemons, 25, told theGrio that since the incident, she is unable to eat or sleep. She is represented by civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
Waffle House has not yet publicly responded to the Women’s March letter, but did release a statement regarding the incident on April 23.
READ MORE: Police say officers followed protocol in Black woman’s violent Waffle House arrest
“We are still obtaining and reviewing information,” the statement read. “However, the information we have received at this point differs significantly from what has reportedly been attributed to Ms. Clemons. After reviewing our security video of the incident and eye witness accounts, police intervention was appropriate. The Saraland Police Department is conducting its own investigation. We take this matter very seriously and think it is important for all those involved or interested in the matter to exercise caution until the facts are developed.”
Clemons and her friend, Canita Adams, allegedly argued with employees after being told they had to pay for plastic utensils, which typically are free. The police were called after they asked to speak to the manager and for the number of Waffle House corporate headquarters.
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