A fiery altercation broke out at a Thornton Township board meeting on Tuesday night, involving controversial mayor Tiffany Henyard, her boyfriend Kamal Woods, and activist Jedidiah Brown. The violent scene unfolded after Brown called Henyard a “bitch” during the public comment section of the meeting. The exchange quickly escalated, turning into a full-fledged brawl.
The insult that sparked the fight
Brown, known for his activism, didn’t hold back. He accused Henyard of being a “half-a–ed mayor” and suggested she had “slept her way to the top.” He also praised newly appointed trustee Stephanie Wiedeman. The heated words led Brown to shout, “You gone, bitch,” directing his anger at Henyard.
Boyfriend Kamal Woods steps in
Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods, who was sitting at the back of the room, wasn’t about to let the insult slide. He stormed up to confront Brown. Punches were exchanged, and soon, the fight engulfed others in the room. Henyard, often called the “Dolton Dictator,” was seen leaving her seat and joining the fray. It was unclear whether she was trying to break up the fight or become a part of it.
Eyewitness accounts of the chaos
Eyewitnesses were stunned by the chaos. Meghan Dudek, a witness, called the scene “scary and horrible.” She said, “It’s an embarrassment.” The melee grew so intense that security struggled to regain control, with people jumping on tables, throwing punches, and kicking one another. In the madness, Henyard was knocked to the ground and even lost a shoe.
Gerald Williams, another eyewitness, remarked, “It should have never come to blows, and Tiffany should have never got involved.”
Activist claims the fight was a setup
Brown, however, claimed the confrontation was a “set up.” In a Facebook post, he said, “Let’s be clear here, I was fighting them all.” He insisted that Henyard struck him first, and that he “popped every single one of them,” including Henyard. He further alleged that he was “picked up like a toddler” and had to fight security in a back room. The scuffle ended with Brown being escorted out by police.
The controversial meeting that led to the brawl
The incident occurred after a tense meeting discussing Henyard’s boyfriend’s role in the township’s at-risk youth program. Woods, along with William Moore, was under scrutiny after their work was questioned by the board. There were also discussions about an independent investigator being brought in to audit the use of funds for the program. Henyard labeled the board’s actions as “political retaliation” and even threatened legal action.
A history of controversies for Henyard
Though the physical altercation overshadowed the meeting, it wasn’t the first time Henyard had been in the headlines for controversy. Recently, she lost the Democratic nomination for Thornton Township supervisor and claimed the loss was due to “voter suppression.” Additionally, Henyard was found in contempt of court for delaying the approval of liquor licenses for months. St. Patrick’s restaurant owners sued Henyard after she failed to sign licenses that had already been approved by the board. She only signed two of the three licenses after a court appearance, where she showed up 30 minutes late.
No arrests, but Police intervene
As for the brawl, no arrests were made, but Brown was carried out by police. The meeting was abruptly cut short, with no formal adjournment, and attendees were kicked out of the building. Henyard’s attorney is reportedly preparing a statement in response to the chaos.
The violence at the board meeting has drawn public attention, further tarnishing Henyard’s already controversial reputation. With a string of scandals and a volatile temper, Henyard is under increasing scrutiny as tensions rise in the township.
