NOTE: The videos in the article show crude and racist behaviors.
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A TikTok video went viral in the past 24 hours that shows a man making racist comments toward a Black man in Virginia City during a Hot August Nights event. The video is drawing international condemnation. The man documented the encounter on his smartphone in a video titled, “Racism at its best, Virginia City, Nevada.” The video shows a white man who allegedly made a comment at the Black man about “a hanging tree,” also calling him the N-word.
@unclerickyd1 This is what i had to go threw today!! Ive never felt so humiliating and disrespected in my life. #racism at his best. @NAACP @ABC News @cnbc @CBS News @TizzyEnt @Attorney Ben Crump #fypシ゚viral @CNN @Fox News ♬ original sound – UncleRicky
The man filming, “Uncle Ricky” or unclerickyd1 on TikTok, began raising his voice in protest, calling the comments blatantly racist. A small group of men nearby laughed. Another man involved was wearing a “Make America Great Again,” or “MAGA” hat. MAGA is the slogan of former President and convicted felon Donald Trump. A woman then appeared to push the man away as he continued filming. The woman told him to get off her property. A group then surrounded him as he repeatedly told the woman not to touch him.
Online commenters and internet sleuths identified the couple as Gary Miller and Janis Cusack Miller, who also have property and a business in Minden, Nevada, according to online records. Virginia City officials posted a message online denouncing the incident.
“Earlier this weekend, an incident occurred in which individuals were harassed during an event, and comments were made that were hateful and racist,” officials said. “We want to make it clear on behalf of the Virginia City Tourism Commission that we find this behavior abhorrent and inexcusable.
“Virginia City is an incredible historic town with vibrant events and a welcoming atmosphere. We stand wholly against any acts of hatred, racism or violence,” officials added. “Virginia City is proud to be a town that invites all individuals, and we are working closely with our merchants and event partners to create a community that is inclusive and open to all.”
Hot August Nights organizers on Sunday said those involved with the incident had their permits revoked.
“The individuals featured in the viral video have been identified, and their Hot August Nights registrations have been revoked,” they said. “We want to clarify that there were no Hot August Nights representatives, volunteers, or staff present in the video or involved in the situation. The individuals wearing Hot August Nights badges are event participants.
“Following the event, Hot August Nights will further evaluate the Virginia City venue. We are committed to ensuring integrity and safety at all our events and will take action to remove individuals who diminish or harm others. We believe taking these steps is crucial to demonstrate to our participants, volunteers and our attendees that such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Online records show the Millers recently purchased the building housing Virginia City’s Firehouse Saloon. Saloon owners posted Saturday morning on Facebook that they faced a “firestorm” of comments on their page due to videos of the incident going viral. Janis Miller is wearing a Firehouse Saloon shirt in the video. The saloon initially said they were not affiliated with the Millers, but commenters noted the Millers recently purchased the saloon’s building and had been thanked by the saloon in a past social media post.
The business appears to have deleted its Facebook page after also getting pummeled with negative reviews. The saloon has over 600 reviews and a one-star rating on Yelp.
“Uncle Ricky” posted a follow-up video on TikTok. He thanked people for supporting him and said he was working in Virginia City when the incident occurred, an encounter he called hurtful. Thousands of commenters continue to post statements denouncing the incident, some noting that it was not out of character of what they described as latent racism in Virginia City.
@unclerickyd1 Thanks to all my supporters!!! And everyone that show love. And understood the severity of this video.♬ original sound – UncleRicky
KTVN, the first local news source to report the incident after it went viral, reported that the Storey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the encounter.
“The Storey County Sheriff’s Office has received concerning reports and video of an incident that occurred in Virginia City on August 2, 2024. We at the sheriff’s office do not condone or support racism, inequality, or hate speech.”
Attempts to reach the Millers were unsuccessful. The Nevada Attorney General, Aaron Ford, issued a statement of support for the Storey County Sheriff’s investigation.
UPDATE: This story was updated to include a new statement from Hot August Nights and the AG’s statement issued after the incident.
