Cincinnati Councilwoman Faces Backlash for Controversial Facebook Comment Following Violent Attack

Cincinnati City Councilwoman Victoria Parks is under scrutiny after making a controversial comment on Facebook in response to a violent incident that occurred last weekend in downtown Cincinnati. In a post linked to a video of the attack, which shows a group violently assaulting two individuals, Parks commented, “They begged for that beat down!” and expressed appreciation for knowing the full context of the events.

Parks, who has an established career in local government, including roles as a former commissioner and chief of staff at the Hamilton County Government, has come under fire from various political figures and community members. Ohio’s 39th District State Rep. Phil Plummer criticized her statement, calling for her immediate resignation and expressing outrage over her defense of violent perpetrators. The incident took place early Saturday morning on Fourth and Elm Street, captured on video depicting the brutal nature of the assault that left one woman unconscious.

In her biography on the official Cincinnati website, Parks highlights her advocacy work, including initiatives to recognize racism as a public health crisis and the introduction of Juneteenth as a paid holiday. As the backlash intensifies, including remarks from law enforcement representatives, it has been noted that Parks announced she would not seek reelection and plans to retire at the end of her term. Despite multiple requests for comments, Parks has not responded, and city officials have directed further inquiries back to her.