Even though the concept of “debtors’ prison” has been declared unconstitutional, the town of Valley was dragged into the spotlight for its practice of arresting people who could not pay their bills. In November, 82-year-old Martha Menefield was arrested for owing $77 for trash pickup. But Menefield’s case was not unusual. The Southern Poverty Law Center has been fighting these cases, representing citizens arrested over past-due trash bills and subject to hundreds if not thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. The policy targets the poorest of Valley’s residents, largely in the Black community.
5 апр 2023
