✍🏾: @lexisryann
On November 27, the local government of Valley, Alabama, sent two cops to the home of Martha Menefield, an 82-year-old Black woman living alone, to arrest her for failing to pay $77.80 worth of garbage collection fees.
The incident sparked outrage on social media when new body camera footage was released this week. The video shows an officer laughing after approaching Menefield at her house and seeing the shocked expression on her face.
“We have a warrant for you,” the officer told the woman. “For not paying the trash bill.” Menefield asked, “So you’re going to handcuff me to take me to jail?” as the officer arrested her. “You’re arresting an 82-year-old woman.”
As Menefield remained shocked, the officer laughed and said, “I’m so serious; it’s a warrant. I’m not joking.”
Police claimed to have contacted Menefield repeatedly to notify her about the overdue bill, but she failed to appear in court, so they issued a warrant. Menefield said she wasn’t aware of the bill because her daughter manages her accounts.
The incident sparked outrage throughout social media, and even caught the attention of Houston rapper #TraeThaTruth. He took to Instagram to share that he raised over $30,000 for Menefield after she was arrested.
“Made A Quick Flight and Pulled Up On Mrs Martha Menefield…. She wont go thru what she went through again…,” Trae captioned the post. “Her Energy Keep U In Good Spirits….. We Can Do Our Best To Help Change Her Life…. You Can Donate To Her Directly … Link In My Bio…”
It is absolutely shameful that this happened, but we are so happy that Ms. Martha will never ever have to go through that again! #BWLM💕
