Despite the preconceived notion by many that violence against black bodies will go unnoticed, two St. Louis gas station clerks learned very quickly that the community doesn't stand for that.
According to The St. Louis American, a Gas Mart owner and his store employee were taken into police custody on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 24, after video footage surfaced of them kicking a homeless black woman, Kelli Adams, in front of the store. In the clip, the owner used racial slurs against the woman, kicked her once before his employee came out and kicked her again.
Early this morning a gas station owner in St. Louis assaulted a Black woman that was standing outside of his store. He used racial slurs and kicked her to the ground. After he went back to the store, another employee kicked her again.
This is truly disgusting.
RETWEET! pic.twitter.com/peJ8k9e4u8
— Together we rise ???????? (@Matsamon) July 25, 2018
When members of the community got wind of the video, they immediately took a call to action. Community activist group Expect US called on people to show up and occupy the gas station in protest.
“This is a cornerstone to the neighborhood,” Wiley Price IV, community activist and state representative candidate, said. “Everybody from near and far comes to this gas station, especially since they shut down the gas station on Delmar and Skinker.”
After protestors ensured Adams received medical attention, they shut the gas station down by blocking gas pumps as well as the entrance to the store. Furthermore, they ensured the men were arrested.
“We decided that they’re done for the day,” Price said. “They didn’t need to make any more money in our community. I come up here all the time. I have been coming up here for years. They treat me awesomely. The guy who did this is somebody who I consider a friend.”
Fox 2 reports nearly 50 people joined the demonstration, and no protestors were arrested. As for the men who assaulted Adams, police said they would apply for warrants as early as July 25.
“You can’t kick no black woman and feel comfortable,” said veteran protestor Brother Anthony Shaheed. “This place is locked down.”
Now, check these out:
Two Kenyan Women Were Viciously Attacked By A Mob In Lebanon. Then, One Of Them Was Deported.
11 Black Politicians Running For Office This November To Keep On Your Radar
