Councilwoman’s Facebook Comment Sparks Outrage

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Victoria Parks is facing significant backlash following a controversial comment she made on Facebook. The comment was posted under a video shared by user Leohna Alia La JCannon, which depicted a violent assault in downtown Cincinnati. Parks’ comment, “They begged for that beat down! I am grateful for the whole story,” has drawn widespread criticism and calls for her resignation.

Investigation and Public Reaction

The incident, which occurred at the intersection of Fourth and Elm Street, involved a group assaulting two individuals, with one woman being knocked unconscious. The video quickly went viral, prompting investigations by the Department of Justice and the FBI. Ohio State Representative Phil Plummer condemned Parks’ remarks, urging prosecutors to charge the attackers with a hate crime and calling for Parks’ immediate resignation. The public reaction has been intense, with many expressing outrage over her perceived defense of the attackers.

Victoria Parks’ Background and Career

Victoria Parks’ Facebook account lists her as a City Council Member for Cincinnati and details her previous roles, including Commissioner at Hamilton County and Chief of Staff to Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune. Her official city biography highlights her efforts in declaring Racism as a Public Health Crisis and establishing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for Hamilton County employees. Despite her accomplishments, Parks announced in January that she would not seek reelection and plans to retire at the end of her current term.

Calls for Accountability and Political Implications

The controversy has intensified discussions about accountability among elected officials. Ken Kober, President of the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police, criticized Parks’ comments, emphasizing the challenging political environment faced by police officers and residents. He urged voters to consider change in the upcoming November elections. Despite multiple requests for comment, Parks has not responded, nor has the city council provided an official statement.