Cincinnati Attack Victim Fundraiser Tops $100K

A fundraising campaign for the woman brutally attacked during a mob assault in downtown Cincinnati has raised over $100,000, far exceeding its original $25,000 goal.

The campaign, hosted on GiveSendGo, was launched by conservative commentator Benny Johnson to support the victim, identified only as Holly. The fundraiser states that all proceeds will go towards helping the victim with medical, legal, security, and loss of work expenses due to the attack.

“We have now officially raised $100,000 for Holly in just one night. This is one of the most successful GiveSendGo campaigns in history,” Johnson posted. “Evil was visited upon Holly. We will defeat it with good and change Holly’s life. Praise God.”

Images shared online show Holly with severe facial injuries, including a busted lip, black eyes, and bruising around her face and neck. According to a report by the New York Post, Holly is originally from Russia and has since returned home following the attack.

The assault, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed a violent mob attacking a white man and woman outside a Cincinnati nightclub. Holly was seen being knocked unconscious as bystanders stood by, some appearing to applaud the violence. She was hospitalized due to her injuries.

Criticism has been directed at local officials for their response. Cincinnati police chief Teresa Theetge appeared to blame the incident on alcohol. She also criticized journalists and social media users for coverage of the incident. Additionally, Council Member Victoria Parks posted on social media that the victim “begged for” the attack, further fueling backlash.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval acknowledged he has not spoken to the victims and appeared alongside a black preacher who called for the victims to be arrested. Pastor Damon Lynch said the victims should have their mug shots publicized.

"So let me back up," Lynch said, "So you understand this, two combatants, one black, one white. A black man steps in, breaks it up. The white guy reengages, slaps, not the black man that he had just squared up with, but slaps another black man. And nobody's asking: 'Why didn't he just walk away?'

"And so when I see, and I don't know who else the chief is looking for or CPD is looking for, but when I see the mug shots, I only see people who look like me. I don't see the person who reengaged, slapped not the initial person, but slapped another black man.”