Boycott the Waffle House and demand justice for Chikesia Clemons!!

CEO Walter G. Ehmer and Corporate Office of Waffle House

In Saraland, Alabama Waffle House in spring 2018, white police officers wrestled an African American woman to the ground, exposed her breasts, choked her, and threatened to break her arm

The conflict ensued after Chikesia Clemons and friends asked a waitress for plastic utensils. The server attempted to charge 50 cents for utensils, and the group left the restaurant. When Ms. Clemons returned to obtain contact information for Waffle House’s corporate headquarters, she was violently arrested by the Saraland Police Department. Video of the arrest shows Ms. Clemons sitting on a chair as police grabbed her, pulling her shirt down to expose her breasts as they wrestle her to the ground.

Ms. Clemons was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and later found guilty. She successfully appealed, and a new trial is slated for next August.

Women’s March Alabama and Women's March Alliance of North Florida asks that the Waffle House corporate office:

  1. Condemn the Saraland Police Department’s use of excessive force.
  2. Publicly apologize to Ms. Clemons for defending the police department’s assault and violation of Ms. Clemons’ civil rights.
  3. Provide racial sensitivity training to all employees.
  4. Ask that all criminal charges against Ms. Clemons be dropped.
Call 1-877-992-3393 (WAFFLE) to file a complaint or fill out the online complaint form at wafflehouse.com.
Petition by
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mary Elizabeth
St. Augustine, Florida

To: CEO Walter G. Ehmer and Corporate Office of Waffle House
From: [Your Name]

Dear Waffle House corporate leaders,

In a Saraland, Alabama Waffle House in spring 2018, white police officers wrestled an African American woman to the ground, exposed her breasts, choked her, and threatened to break her arm.

Chikesia Clemons and friends were having a late-night breakfast and wanted to order some food to go. They asked a waitress for plastic utensils. The server attempted to charge 50 cents for the utensils, and the group left the restaurant. When Ms. Clemons returned to obtain contact information for Waffle House’s corporate headquarters, she was violently arrested by the Saraland Police Department. Video of the arrest shows Ms. Clemons sitting on a chair as police grab her, pulling her shirt down to expose her breasts as they wrestle her to the ground. This display of police brutality was itself illegal, excessive, and unacceptable.
Ms. Clemons was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and later found guilty. She successfully appealed, and a new trial is slated for next August.

We ask the Waffle House to:
-Condemn the Saraland Police Department’s use of excessive force.
-Publicly apologize to Ms. Clemons for defending the police department’s assault and violation of Ms. Clemons’ civil rights.
-Provide racial sensitivity training to all employees.
-Ask the county to drop all criminal charges against Ms. Clemons.

We look forward to the day when all Waffle House restaurants offer consistent welcoming service to patrons of all races and ethnicities.