A Cincinnati city council member is facing widespread criticism after making a controversial comment about a violent street brawl that took place downtown on Friday.
Councilwoman Victoria Parks, a Democrat, responded to a video of the incident by writing, “They begged for that beat down! I am grateful for the whole story,” according to the New York Post. Her remark, made on social media, has drawn backlash from officials and the public alike.
The chaotic scene unfolded in downtown Cincinnati, where multiple people were involved in a street fight. Video footage shows two men fighting while bystanders record the incident. One man in a white shirt is seen being knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched. In another clip, a woman in a floral dress is struck in the face and falls unconscious. According to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge, only one of approximately 100 people present called 911.
Several individuals were seriously injured, and arrests have been made. According to Breitbart News, Montianez Merriweather, 34, Dekyra Vernon, 24, and Jermaine Matthews, 39, face charges including felonious assault and aggravated riot. Authorities allege Merriweather and Matthews helped coordinate what they described as an “ambush” near Elm and Fourth streets.
Councilwoman Parks’s comment has sparked intense criticism. Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober said, “It’s unconscionable that an elected official would be celebrating violence in the very city she was voted to serve.”
Screenshots of Parks’s comment circulated on social media, with many users calling for her resignation. One user wrote, “Resign. What a horrible thing to say,” while another added, “Better be fired.”
Despite the backlash, Local 12 reported that Parks is standing by her comment. Her X (formerly Twitter) account, Victoria4Cincy, appears to have been deactivated after the controversy erupted.
The incident has also drawn criticism from other political figures. Breitbart News reported that Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio has called for Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, a Democrat, to resign, citing what he and others describe as failed Democratic leadership contributing to public safety concerns in the city.