A routine Cuyahoga County Council meeting erupted into controversy this week when Council President Dale Miller called for a moment of silence to honor Charlie Kirk, the recently assassinated conservative activist known for his inflammatory rhetoric.

The surprise tribute prompted three Black council members to walk out in protest , and Today in Ohio podcast hosts wondered Wednesday why the whole council did not follow their lead. The meeting exposed some deep divisions within local government and raised questions about who deserves public honors.

“Vice President Yvonne Conwell, who is black, objected immediately, saying she couldn’t honor someone who’d made such racist remarks about black Americans,” Leila Atassi said. . “She walked out, and fellow members Meredith Turner and Pernel J

See Full Page