Over 150 bikers came out in full support for three Alabama officers who violently arrested a young Black woman at a Waffle House restaurant in Saraland earlier this year.
Sunday’s rally was organized in response to recent anti-police brutality protests across the city sparked by the April 19 arrest of Chikesia Clemons, 25, station FOX 10 reported. Police arrested Clemons after she got into a dispute with Waffle House employees over a 50 cent upcharge for plastic utensils and reportedly refused to leave the restaurant.
Video of the incident showed officers wrestle the young woman to the ground, during which her breasts were exposed as police tried to handcuff her. One of the cops even threatened to break her arm during the scuffle.
Waffle House officials said police were justified in their use of force, alleging Clemons and her friend threatened employees when they were asked to leave. Clemons’ attorneys have denied the claims, however.
Like Waffle House, rally organizer Kenda Fenton-Todd sided with police and invited bikers from all over to show their support for the officers involved in the racially charged incident.
” … With all the controversy a due to the recent arrest of by the young lady, it was just necessary to show these people that we support them,” Fenton-Todd told FOX 10. “You can’t just walk into an establishment and be belligerent and threatening and hostile and not suffer the outcome of getting arrested. We just felt that it was necessary to show these guys that we back them.”
Fenton-Todd argued that Clemons, who was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, should’ve expected something bad to happen because she refused to obey the officers.
“You either obey the law and you comply or things happen. They did their job. they had to do their job that’s what they’re trained to do,” she added. “It’s unfortunate that the young lady’s wardrobe had exposed herself. But under the circumstances, like I said, if you don’t comply with the law then you’re going to get manhandled whether you’re a woman or a man.”
According to the station, the bikers enjoyed breakfast at the Waffle House before heading down to the Saraland Police Department headquarters where they lined the streets waving flags and signs in support of local police.
Clemons arrest was just one of several race-related incidents that occurred at Waffle House this year.
