Protest Takes Place at Dolton Village Board Meeting

Tensions Run High as Community Rallies for Ex-Assistant Accusing Trustee of Assault

A heated protest took place at the Dolton village board meeting on Monday, with community members showing their support for former assistant to the mayor, Fenia Dukes, who is suing Trustee Andrew Holmes for alleged assault and nonconsensual distribution of private sexual images.

The protest began with a fiery speech by Vivian Allen, a Thornton Township resident, who said, "We won’t stop fighting for your justice because we understand what you went through."

Dukes worked for Mayor Tiffany Henyard for about six months before being placed on unpaid leave and later fired, after accusing Holmes of assault on a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas in May 2023. Dukes has filed a civil lawsuit against Holmes, claiming he assaulted her and disseminated her private sexual images without her consent.

Despite a police investigation, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges against Holmes.

As the meeting got underway, Dukes took the stage to address the crowd, saying, "I am beyond blessed and grateful to have every single one of you here for me. I thought I would be standing up here by myself, but look at ya’ll right next to me… I love ya’ll, too."

Credible Threats Against Elected Officials Unsubstantiated

However, the meeting was initially delayed by Mayor Henyard, who claimed that credible threats had been made against the village board. But the board’s mayor pro-tem, Jason House, denied any knowledge of such threats, stating, "The board has received no evidence of a credible threat nor have we heard anything briefed on that."

The controversy surrounding the alleged assault and Dukes’ subsequent treatment has gripped the community, with many calling for accountability and justice.

Conclusion

The protest and subsequent comments from the board highlight the tensions surrounding the allegations and the community’s desire for justice. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the village will address the concerns of its residents and respond to the allegations made against Trustee Holmes.

FAQs

• Who is Fenia Dukes?
  • Former assistant to Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard
• What is the alleged incident that occurred in Las Vegas?
  • Fenia Dukes claims she was assaulted by Trustee Andrew Holmes on a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas in May 2023
• What is the outcome of the police investigation?
  • The Clark County District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges against Trustee Holmes
• What is the current status of the civil lawsuit?
  • Fenia Dukes has filed a civil lawsuit against Trustee Andrew Holmes, alleging assault and nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images