A metropolis councilwoman in Cincinnati is beneath fireplace for feedback posted on Fb within the wake of a brutal downtown beatdown final weekend.
Below a publish from a Fb consumer known as Leohna Alia La JCannon that reveals the vicious assault, an account that seems to belong to Councilwoman Victoria Parks commented, “They begged for that beat down!”
“I’m grateful for the entire story,” the remark continues.
The remark hyperlinks again to a Fb account for Victoria Parks, who lists her job title as Metropolis Council Member at Metropolis of Cincinnati Authorities.
The account additionally says she was previously the commissioner at Hamilton County, Ohio Authorities and the previous Chief of Workers to Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune at Hamilton County.
That info traces up with Parks’ biography on the Metropolis of Cincinnati’s official web site.
Cincinnati’s metropolis council is formally nonpartisan, however Parks, like all 9 members of the governing physique, was endorsed by the native Democratic get together.
The Fb web page has posts relationship again a number of years, largely referring to work expertise.
Parks seems to have a second Fb web page as effectively, which final posted on Could 27.
A third account, final posted up to date 2022, additionally seems to belong to Parks.
The feedback sparked a web-based firestorm, with a screenshot of the publish being circulated broadly.
“Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks should resign instantly! Defending violent criminals who viciously beat harmless individuals is disgusting,” Ohio’s thirty ninth District State Rep. Phil Plummer stated on X. “Her phrases ‘They begged for that beat down!’ are outrageous. Prosecutors should cost the attackers with a hate crime. We should shield our streets!”
“You’re a racist pig, Victoria Parks,” stated one other publish.
“THIS IS INSANE!” stated a 3rd particular person, calling for Parks’ resignation.
The beatings occurred on the nook of Fourth and Elm Avenue in Cincinnati’s downtown enterprise district within the early morning hours on Saturday.
Video that has been shared broadly on-line reveals a gaggle of individuals savagely assaulting two others throughout a confrontation, with a lady being knocked out chilly on the street.
In her official metropolis biography web page, Parks says she “led the cost in passing Racism as a Public Well being Disaster” when working for the Hamilton County governor.
It additionally says she “launched, and handed, Juneteenth as a paid vacation for Hamilton County staff.”
In January, Parks introduced that she wouldn’t search reelection, and can retire after her present time period ends.
“It’s unconscionable that an elected official can be celebrating violence within the very metropolis she was voted to serve,” Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober instructed Fox Information Digital. “This highlights the poor political setting that cops, residents and guests are presently enduring. Fortunately, there’s an election in November. I urge voters to vote for change!”
Parks didn’t return requests for remark. An e-mail to the complete metropolis council additionally went unreturned. A consultant for the town council declined to remark by cellphone, directing Fox Information Digital to Parks herself.
Mollie Lair, the Communications Director for the Cincinnati Metropolis Supervisor’s Workplace, seen the picture in particular person at cityhall, however declined to remark.
