In the early hours of Saturday, a violent confrontation erupted outside a downtown Cincinnati bar, resulting in severe injuries to two white individuals. The altercation, involving a predominantly black crowd, was captured on video showing a man and woman being punched and stomped in the street. The male victim lay bloodied, while the female, who attempted to intervene, was rendered unconscious. Despite nearly 100 onlookers, authorities reported just a single 911 call.
The incident has garnered national attention, not only for its brutality but also for the subsequent remarks of Councilwoman Victoria Parks. A Democrat and President Pro Tem of Cincinnati's city council, Parks allegedly commented on the incident via Facebook, stating, "They begged for that beat down! I am grateful for the whole story." The post has since been deleted following a wave of condemnation, and Parks has deactivated her Facebook account.
Parks, 66, is a seasoned political figure in Cincinnati, having served as chief of staff to Commissioner Todd Portune before taking over his seat in 2020. She was later elected to the city council and has been an advocate for progressive issues. Despite the backlash, Parks has defended her freedom of speech and has refused to resign, as reported by Fox19.
The Cincinnati Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the brawl, including Montianez Merriweather, 34; Dekyra Vernon, 24; and Jermaine Matthews, 39, who face charges of felony assault and aggravated riot. Police Chief Teresa Theetge has promised further arrests, stating that those who inflicted harm will be held accountable.
The controversy surrounding Parks' comments has led to a broad range of criticism. Ohio Republican State Rep. Phil Plummer and Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober have called for her resignation. U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno has also expressed outrage, sharing images of the female victim, identified as Holly, to highlight the severity of the attack.
Parks, who announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, is facing renewed pressure to step down immediately. The investigation into the brawl continues, with city officials and the public awaiting further developments.
