Mayor Harper, faith and community leaders denounce Wednesday’s hate crime in Antioch
Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, center, is joined by all four members of the Antioch City Council, other community leaders including representatives of the faith community and the NAACP at a Thursday afternoon press conference about the hate crime in Antioch, on Wednesday morning.
By Allen Payton
At a late Thursday afternoon press conference in the Antioch City Council Chambers, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper was joined by faith and community leaders to speak out and denounce the hate crime against an African-American family that occurred in the city, early Wednesday morning. All four council members were in attendance.
“We are here because a terrible crime that happened in the City of Antioch,” said Harper.
He said he looked for a word of comfort and found a scripture verse, which he quoted, Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, oh man. He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
“And we didn’t see that the other day,” Harper continued. “We didn’t see justice. We didn’t see kindness. And we saw no humility in that terrible act that was committed.”
“While there are great things happening in Antioch and great people that come out of the city of Antioch, we’re not here to talk about that, today,” he said. “We’re here to take a stand, as a city, as a city council against the horrendous hate crime that occurred in the city, yesterday about 3:00 a.m.”
“An unknown person wrote racial slurs, a swastika and threw a flammable device onto the house, setting a portion of the house on fire,”Harper stated.
“This does not happen in Antioch and this will not be allowed to happen in Antioch.” “I want you to be clear about that. That our entire city council stands against that, our entire police department and our entire community stands against that.”
“My first reaction was anger and frustration that this type of crime could occur in the city…where we’re raising our children and grandchildren.,” Harper stated.
It seems that when we see a decline in violence in Antioch, and we’re on the right track, something like this happens bringing to our attention that our work is not done, yet.”
“I know the investigation is continuing. We’re not here to talk about that and we definitely will not interfere with any investigation.”
“While every city has crime, in Antioch our faith will not be shaken by this incident. The greatness of our city…lies in our people. So we will come together as a city of Antioch, as a community. We will not be in fear. We will not be victimized. If you don’t have a Neighborhood Watch program… in your neighborhood, start one. If you don’t know your neighbor, meet them.
He spoke of his conversation with Ms. Williams, the woman of the family that was victimized.
“I stopped by her house I found out my entire city council had stopped by her house and showed her concern and I told her that the residents of Antioch could show her way more love than one person could show her hate.”
“She said she would not attend this conference but she said she wanted to let the community know, that one bad seed does not destroy her faith in Antioch. She wanted to thank the community for reaching out to her and let everyone know she’s going to be OK.”
“I spoke with representatives of the District Attorney’s office. They are aware of this incident and they take this type of crime, seriously.”
He thanked the representatives of the various elected officials, including Assemblyman Jim Frazier and Congressman Jerry McNerney.
“This is an effort of the entire community,” Harper added. “We are coming together and we are standing firm and saying Antioch is a great city. We are not going to tolerate this. We are not going to let this happen.”
Pastor Chris Williams of the Church at Antioch spoke, next.
“I stand as a part of and representative of the faith community,” he said. “It’s very important and yet significant to realize that the very place of Antioch, historically and biblically is the place where they were first called Christians. That would suggest that they pattern their lives after Christ and after the principles of God, meaning that God is love. And the reality is love is bigger than any religion, love is bigger than any denomination.
“So we come, today to stand with this city, with this mayor, with law enforcement with all of the concerned citizens of Antioch, to as faith based leaders, offer our support, and yet our desire to cause the city of Antioch to be a place that is characteristic of that first, historic city a place of love,” said Williams, who is not related to the family who are the victims.
He said he wanted to “shower the Williams’ family with love to conquer the hate.”
Charles Glasper, representing the East County Branch of the NAACP spoke next.
“Hate crimes in our community will not be tolerated,” he stated. “We will stand united. This appears to be a hate crime of the most egregious nature. This bias not only terrorizes the intended victims but it terrorizes our community, as well.”
“However, today our community will stand together in peaceful coexistence and we will prevail,” Glasper said.
“Members of the East County Branch of the NAACP have been in touch with the Chief of Police of the Antioch Police Department. We have been assured that this matter is one of the department’s top priorities.”
“The NAACP wants to assure the Williams’ family and the community that we will continue to follow up with law enforcement to ensure that that all is being done to swiftly bring any and all perpetrators to justice. Thank you.”
Harper then thanked more of those in attendance, including other pastors and elected officials.
“Let’s stand together in unity,” he concluded.
Then Harper opened it up for questions.
The first one was about the video that the police have.
“Is this somebody’s home video?”
Harper responded that he would refer that to the police department.
“I’m not prepared to talk about their investigation and will leave that to them,” he said.
When asked if he considered murder a more serious crime and about the 35 murders since he was elected mayor, Harper responded “This is not a political event.”
When asked if he had ever had a press conference on the murders for the families of those victims, he ended the press conference and responded, “Thank you very much.”
Asked the same question again and with “yes or no?” Harper repeatedly responded with “Thank you very much.”
Two of Harper’s opponents in the Mayor’s race were unable to attend.
However, before the press conference when asked for comment, Gil Murillo said the “Mayor should have been with our Chief at yesterday’s press conference. Luckily our Chief has a community behind him.”
His other opponent, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock was in attendance but didn’t speak at the press conference. Earlier in the day she said “I believe as leaders of our community/city [we] need to stand together. This is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Dr. Sean Wright commented after the press conference that “The hate crime was despicable and doesn’t represent the residents of Antioch.”
the attachments to this post:
harper-hate-crime-press-conf
“When asked if he considered murder a more serious crime and about the 35 murders since he was elected mayor, Harper responded “This is not a political event.”
“When asked if he had ever had a press conference on the murders for the families of those victims, he ended the press conference and responded, “Thank you very much.”
Asked the same question again and with “yes or no?” Harper repeatedly responded with “Thank you very much.”
TYPICAL OF HARPER!!
This is why we need a new Mayor!!!!!
It’s a good question, I’m glad the reporter raised it. I’m surprised that he didn’t have a better response. I’d like to know how many of those murders have resulted in a conviction?
I think it was interesting he only invited Councilman Tony Tiscarino to the press conference and NONE of the three women councilmembers. This truly shows Mr. Harper is not a team player and never has had the best interest of this city his number one priority.
Why wouldn’t he invite the women council members? What a loser.
The whole city council was with him at that press conference.
They were with him but not in the beginning. They didn’t even know it was happening is what I was told. That is why the news conference if you can call it that was still going on at 6:30.
Very interesting, thanks Julio.
And who were you told this by? You can’t believe everything you are told. He made a public announcement about this event. They were there, and that is that.
Eric A.
I was told by two of the councilwomen that they were not invited by the mayor and learned about it through other sources. The press conference was over by 5:30 p.m. Some of the media may have still been there at 6:30 p.m., and they may have been interviewing those who attended. But the formal part of the press conference ended long before that.
Allen Payton, Publisher
I can only imagine who the two councilwomen were. The Mayor made known what was going on, it was even on your own website. “Harper is calling upon local leaders as well as faith-based leaders to attend his press conference and stand together in support of this family who are victims of this “despicable crime,” as he described it in his press release.” If that statement doesn’t include those two councilwomen to come, I don’t know what would. Are they hurt because they didn’t get a handheld invitation? I’m sorry, it wasn’t about.
Geez… Give up. What don’t you understand about “…they were not invited by the mayor and learned about it through other sources…”
Lack of communication by Harper amongst his peers?. Check.
RJB what don’t you understand? Were these Councilwomen under rocks that they didn’t know about the press conference? It sounds like everyone knew about it, but them. One of them wants to be Mayor? Ha. Again, this wasn’t about about politics. This was about a hate crime.
Eric A.,
If this was truly about the “community coming together” to denounce the hate crime, the mayor would have invited all of his fellow council members and school board members, who are the elected leaders in our community, and not expect them to find out through the media. Harper picked and chose who he invited to attend it. I was rather surprised when the two councilwomen I spoke to said they hadn’t been invited.
I can tell that you’re smart by the comments you’ve made in the past on this site. I’m surprised you can’t see that it was political. The fact his first response to my question was “this is not political” shows he was defensive about it and knows that’s the exact reason for his unnecessary press conference.
What did it do to help solve the problem that caused the hate crime to occur or catch the perpetrator(s) who committed it? They said this will not be allowed to happen in Antioch. How is he and the others going to prevent it from happening, again in our city? He ended the press conference – which was really a press statement – before that question could be asked and answered.
I believe, by causing this negative thing about Antioch to be in the Bay Area news cycle for another day or two, Harper’s press conference did more harm to our community than good.
Allen Payton, Publisher
When asked if he considered murder a more serious crime and about the 35 murders since he was elected mayor, Harper responded “This is not a political event.”
When asked if he had ever had a press conference on the murders for the families of those victims, he ended the press conference and responded, “Thank you very much.”
Asked the same question again and with “yes or no?” Harper repeatedly responded with “Thank you very much.” He was repeatedly answering your repeated question, Allen.
Video of the Conference, and Allen’s tantrum at the end. I call em like I see em.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOnxxTFYR1U
Eric A.,
Sorry you didn’t like the way I went about trying to hold an elected official accountable. But I have to laugh that you label it a “tantrum.” I didn’t raise my voice or flail my hands. I merely asked him the same question a few times.
Could I have handled it, differently? Perhaps. I’m not beyond correction or improvement in what I do.
But, asking the same question a few times isn’t a tantrum. I was attempting to get Mayor Harper to answer the question by pressing him on it. But, he refused to because he knows the answer is “no” which would lead to the next question of why this was his first press conference in his entire four-year term, right in the middle of his re-election campaign, which would have made it obvious the reason for it.
I find it interesting you want to call me out for asking the questions others want answered instead of the elected official and candidate who used a tragedy to try to advance himself politically at the expense of our city, by having this very negative thing that happened, here – a very rare incident – broadcast to the entire Bay Area news media, and extended it in the news cycle another day or two, at a time our city wants and needs to improve on and overcome its negative image due to all the crime in our city.
This wasn’t like in some big city where people were in an uproar, marching in the streets over an incident. While it was a tragic and horrible crime, there was no need for the “community to come together” as if we’re divided over it.
If the mayor didn’t want to answer questions, he shouldn’t have held a press conference. He could have and frankly, should have just left it with the emailed statement condemning the hate crime, which was included in his press release, late Wednesday night.
Allen Payton, Publisher
Allen,
I really appreciate that backhanded compliment. Maybe it was because I hurt you first. I apologize.
“I’m not beyond correction or improvement in what I do.” I will be the first to admit that too.
I believe, at your core, you are a great person. You just have a job to do, have your own opinion, and can’t please everyone.
Eric,
Backhanded comment? I thought his comment was as accurate as possible, delivered with eloquence and concise.
Everyone has their opinions, especially against your self proclaimed caped crusader Harper, and your lying Jeff Belle.
I hope you find peace, Eric.
Eric A.,
My last comment wasn’t meant to be backhanded nor meant to hurt you.
Nor I was hurt by your comment labeling my questioning of Mayor Harper a tantrum. As I wrote, it made me laugh.
You can accept my compliment of your intelligence on face value. Thank you for your kind words in your last comment.
Allen Payton, Publisher
Allen,
I watched the video.
Your manner of questioning was not even close to a supposed ‘tantrum’. It was delivered with professionalism, and courage to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, or lack there of.
I appreciate your commendable action and encourage others to stand up and do the same; it was a breath of fresh air.
Thank you, Publisher.
Thank you for your words, Rjb.
Similar to what I wrote Eric A., there’s always room for self improvement.
But, be sure I and hopefully the rest of the reporters for the Herald, will continue to ask questions of our representatives and candidates to both hold them accountable and inform our readers.
Allen Payton, Publisher