Cincinnati City Council President Pro Tem Victoria Parks is facing intense criticism today after a social media comment appeared to defend a violent street assault captured in a viral video. Under footage showing two individuals being viciously attacked downtown, a Facebook post attributed to Parks read: “They begged for that beatdown!” followed by “I am grateful for the whole story.”
Parks, a Democrat first elected to the city council in 2022, has a history of advocating for racial justice — including supporting a resolution that declared racism a public health crisis in Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati.
As Mediaite reports:
Jermaine Matthews, Montianez Merriweather, and Dekyra Vernon were all arrested on charges of felonious assault, assault, and aggravated riot this week after videos went viral showing brawls on the street in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. A total of five people have been charged over the fights, and police have said they expect more to follow.
In the July 26 video, downtown Cincinnati was crowded with thousands for multiple major events. One video showed a man in a white t-shirt being pushed to the ground and then beaten by multiple people. Another showed a woman being punched and seemingly knocked unconscious. The videos quickly spread on social media, with a number of conservative pundits calling the attacks racially motivated. Both of the mentioned victims were white.
The post Parks appeared to comment on was a video showing two men getting into fighting stances and things escalating and getting physical, though it does not show how the confrontation began.
The comment from Parks links to an active Facebook profile for the councilwoman. Parks previously announced in January that she will not be running for reelection. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Parks’s City Hall office was unlit and locked on Wednesday. WLWT meanwhile reported that they reached Parks and she stood by her comment.
Video footage of the incident, reported by multiple outlets, shows bystanders filming the attack rather than assisting the victims.
After reviewing the footage, Grok — a generative artificial intelligence chatbot — identified 32 head stomps delivered to the male victim by 17 active assailants. An estimated 12 additional bystanders either blocked help or stood by without intervening. The woman who attempted to intervene was punched unconscious, likely suffering a traumatic brain injury from the impact.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) shared photos of the female victim — identified only as “Holly” — and called the city leadership a “total travesty.” Moreno threatened to pursue suspension of federal funding for Cincinnati unless officials address civil rights and public safety.
Moreno has since shared news of Parks doubling down on her remarks.
If calls to review federal funding escalate, national agencies may examine potential civil rights violations. Additional suspects are expected to be identified and charged as the investigation continues.
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