Allegations of Racism in Virginia City Prompts Investigation

A Tik-Tok video that has amassed over one million views has led to an active investigation by the Storey County Sheriff’s office, and prompted Attorney General Aaron Ford and Governor Joe Lombardo to issue statements condemning alleged racist comments made to a Black man during the Hot August Nights classic car event in Virginia City.

The video, posted by “UncleRickyD1,” is titled “racism at its best,” as Uncle Ricky notes in the caption: “This is what i had to go threw today!! Ive never felt so humiliating and disrespected in my entire life.”

The video begins with Uncle Ricky asking a white male, “Where is the hanging tree at?”  The white male responds, “In your back yard?”

Internet sleuths identified the white male as Gary Miller.  

“Do you know where you are? Do you know the history of this town,” Miller’s daughter says in the video as her mother appears to attempt to defuse the situation. 

“I love you, you’re my brother,” Miller’s wife, Janice Cusack says.  

Together, the Miller’s own the building that houses Firehouse Saloon bar in Virginia City, Nevada.

“It wasn’t us,” a male and female running the bar Sunday afternoon told The Globe, “We’ve been berated, attacked, and threatened for the last day and a half.” 

The owners of the bar want the public to know that the owners of the building are not one in the same. They refused to comment further citing legal advice, and stated their attorney’s statement will soon be released.

Prior to a completed investigation, Nevada’s Attorney General Aaron Ford weighed in on social media to express his disgust.

A “hanging tree”?! How disgusting. Just horrific. We can have no tolerance for this type of racist behavior in Nevada. Or anywhere. https://t.co/bYGfyNFjjW

— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) August 4, 2024

Angered viewers called for the official Hot August Nights organization to denounce the allegations.

“A very unfortunate and intolerable incident occurred during our kick-off event in Virginia City this weekend. It was inexcusable and not at all representative of our classic car culture or community. Our organization does not condone nor support racism or hate speech. We hope that this will not dampen our attendees and participants spirits as we host our events in Reno-Sparks over the coming week. Our commitment is for a safe and inclusive space for everyone,” said the organization on Facebook.

The organization also announced that the “people in the video have been identified and their registrations have been revoked.”

While questions remain unanswered of what started the altercation, Attorney General Ford released an official statement Sunday evening:

“My office is aware of the hateful, racist incident caught on camera in Virginia City, one of Nevada’s most storied towns. Individuals are shown verbally harassing a Black man and apparently referenced a “hanging tree” during their aggressive interaction with him. As Nevada’s Attorney General, I wholly condemn their actions. Such hate does not represent the values we hold here in Nevada, and it should be countenanced. Accordingly, I have reached out to Sheriff Cullen to offer my support in his office’s investigation into this matter. I am proud to be a Nevadan, as are the employees from my office who reside throughout our state, including those living in and around Virginia City. Nevada is rich in diversity with people from different backgrounds and I know us to be welcoming and kind. Many have already voiced their disgust in the actions that took place. I encourage others to likewise denounce the racism displayed in the video.”

This morning, Governor Joe Lombardo weighed in on the controversy: “I’m concerned and disappointed by this incident in Virginia City this weekend. Racism and hate have no place in Nevada – this behavior must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. We take pride in our rich, diverse history, and we’ll always be a place where all are welcome.”

In a follow up video, Uncle Ricky says he was in Virginia City to collect signatures for a petition to “lower attorney fees in the state of Nevada.” He added, “I know I could have gone about things a different way.” Uncle Ricky did not respond to our request for comment.

This is a developing story.