Cincinnati city councillors are facing backlash over comments made on Facebook following a violent incident downtown last weekend.
A user named Leohna Alia La Jcannon posted about the brutal attack, prompting a response from what seems to be Councillor Victoria Parks’ account. “They begged for that beatdown!” was one of the comments made.
The comment continues with, “I’m grateful for the whole story.” This comment is linked to Parks’ official Facebook account, which identifies her as a city council member for Cincinnati.
She’s previously served as a commissioner for Hamilton County and as chief of staff for a Hamilton County Commissioner.
While Cincinnati’s city council is technically nonpartisan, it’s worth noting that Parks, along with the other council members, was appointed by a local Democrat.
I’ve noticed that my own Facebook page contains posts related to my work experiences from several years back.
Parks has another Facebook page which hasn’t seen a post since May 27th. There’s also an older account that hasn’t been active since 2022.
The response to her comments has ignited an online uproar, with screenshots of the posts being shared widely. Comments like, “Cincinnati Council’s Victoria Parks must resign immediately!” reflect the public’s outrage. Another individual urged, “Prosecutors must label the attack a hate crime!”
Online, others have voiced strong reactions, calling her a “racist pig” and demanding her resignation.
A brawl occurred early Saturday at the corner of Fourth and Elm Streets in Cincinnati’s downtown area, with a widely circulated video showing a group attacking two individuals, one of whom was knocked unconscious.
Parks’ public biography states she previously addressed racism as a public health crisis during her time with the Hamilton County Governor.
In January, she announced that she would not be running for re-election and plans to retire at the end of her current term.
Police President Ken Cober of Cincinnati’s Brothers Order remarked, “It’s pointless for an elected official to celebrate violence in the city she represents,” emphasizing the current challenges faced by law enforcement. He expressed hope for change in the upcoming elections.
Parks has not responded to requests for comment, and inquiries directed to the entire city council went unanswered. The communications director at the Cincinnati City Manager’s office also declined to comment after reviewing the situation firsthand.
