Members of the Democratic City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio, are reacting strongly following comments made by Councillor Victoria Parks regarding victims of a recent brawl in downtown.
“They begged for that assault! I appreciate knowing the whole story,” Parks stated, referencing a video of the incident that was reported by the New York Post.
The violent altercation unfolded in downtown Cincinnati, leading to widespread outrage among officials after video footage circulated online, as noted by Breitbart News.
One video clip depicted two men fighting while bystanders recorded the chaos on their phones. At one point, a man wearing a white shirt was knocked to the ground and attacked. Another segment showed a woman in a floral dress being hit, leaving her unconscious on the pavement.
Cincinnati Police Commissioner Teresa Tegge revealed that, out of the hundreds present at the scene, only one person called 911 for help. The incident resulted in serious injuries to the victim, and multiple arrests were made.
Meriweather, 24, Dekira Vernon, 24, and Jermaine Matthews, 39, face charges that include felony assault and participating in a riot.
Parks’ comments have sparked significant backlash from the community.
“It’s shocking that an elected official would celebrate violence in the city she was elected to serve,” remarked Ken Cober, president of the Cincinnati Brothers Police.
Users on social media shared screenshots of Parks’ remarks, with some suggesting that she should apologize or even resign. One person remarked, “Resignation is necessary; what a dangerous situation.” Another chimed in, “She needs to be fired.”
However, reports indicate that Parks remains steadfast in her views, expressing support for her comments amid public outcry.
Her account on social media was deactivated shortly after the criticism began.
She isn’t the only local official under fire related to this incident. Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has also called for Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval to resign following the violent brawl.
