Most Holy Rosary Church from their Facebook page.

By Allen Payton

Following the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:27 who said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs”, according to an Antioch resident and parishioner, “all the Sunday Masses at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church this weekend, 7:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 6pm, will be celebrated from the rooftop of the detached garage while parishioners will be in their cars parked socially distanced in the surrounding parking lots.  Eucharist will be distributed after Mass as the cars exit the parking lots.”

The church is located at 1313 A Street in Antioch. For more information visit https://holyrosaryantioch.org/.

By Matt J. Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

Due to anticipated civic activities in the area, the Contra Costa Superior Court will close at all locations at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

Curfew in Antioch will not be re-established

By Susan Shiu, Director, Office of Communications and Media, Contra Costa County 

(Martinez, CA) – County Administrator David J. Twa has signed the Order Rescinding a Countywide Curfew within Contra Costa County, effective as of 1:00 PM today, June 4, 2020.

The order states that “As Contra Costa County’s Administrator of Emergency Services, I have reviewed, on a daily basis, the conditions that necessitated the June 2, 2020, Countywide curfew.  At this point, it appears that the public order and safety has generally been restored in Contra Costa County and it is therefore appropriate to lift the emergency Countywide curfew.”

The order further states that “This action does not affect any city curfews that remain in effect.  Cities will make their own determination as to whether curfews continue to be needed within their commercial districts or other areas within those cities.”

“We all continue to want peaceful protests and encourage everyone to stay safe,” said Twa.

Read the Order Rescinding the Countywide Curfew.

Antioch residents were asking if there is still a curfew in our city. The answer, is no, as city officials rescinded the curfew order in Antioch on Wednesday afternoon. (See related article) However, Mayor Sean Wright, City Manager Ron Bernal and Police Chief T Brooks were asked if the city will reestablish a curfew in Antioch if there is still a credible threat as mentioned by Chief Brooks on Tuesday. The response from the city’s public information officer was “That we are aware of, there is no longer an active threat.” So, the curfew in Antioch will not be re-established.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

City’s curfew order expired at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Antioch, Calif., (June 3, 2020) – Today, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, the City of Antioch announced that they have ended their citywide curfew as of June 3, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

On June 2, 2020, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation of local emergency and a curfew in Contra Costa County from 8:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m. daily, until further notice.

For further details on Contra Costa County’s order, please visit the County’s website at www. contracosta.ca.gov

To the Citizens of Antioch:

There are times in the world and nation when we must all stand together. This week is one of those times. We mourn the needless loss of George Floyd. As we focus on the unconscionable actions of the police officers in Minneapolis, we must condemn police brutality and racism in all forms. As we watch the protests, anger and frustration of our fellow citizens, we must acknowledge that these emotions are not new. That they are deeply embedded in the fabric of our country due to a history of racism and bias that has compounded pain over time. We have talked of change but see the repetition of death and hurt that has found no resolution.

I empathize with the suffering of the African American community. I acknowledge that their frustration is real, and I can feel the anguish of another needless death. I am willing to stand in protest of racism and injustice. I am willing to listen and cooperate as we strive toward solutions that will make our community safer for every citizen. We strive to live in a city that is open to everyone, a place that we can truly call home. At this time, we need to do better and we will do better.

I see what a lot of politicians are putting out – more rhetoric about the problem and how we can change. As Antioch’s Mayor, I’m not going to pontificate on the problem nor its solution. Why? Because I don’t believe all of us fully understand the horrors of racism as it is manifested institutionally through systems of disproportionality and exclusion.

Many of us never experienced it, or even worse, some continue to pretend it doesn’t exist. What I do know, is that the anger, frustration and rage in our community is REAL. I am not condoning the use of violence, but we as a community must acknowledge the reality of being marginalized and misunderstood because of skin color. Racism is a cancer that must be properly diagnosed and treated. Failure to do so will result in the demise of us all. Our communities deserve leaders that will stand up and speak out against any form of racism. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

So, as your Mayor, I am not stating that I have all the answers but at this time I am willing to advocate. I want you to know that I am here, I stand with, by you and for you, and I’m willing to listen to what you have to say. I want to learn what it is like to walk in your shoes. I embrace you, and want to hear your thoughts on how we can make the city of Antioch a better place. A place that strives for the social, educational and economic equality for every resident. We endeavor to live and labor in a city that looks out for everyone, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age or your social economic status.

I’m hoping that we can begin discussing racism, openly and honestly, together in townhalls across the city. We desire to accomplish this after the Shelter in Place has been rescinded. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts, your comments, and any and all suggestions on how to move forward with this dialogue. We are ONE Antioch, with common hopes, common dreams, and common desires seeking to arrive at a common destination. I am available at mayorseanwright@gmail.com and look forward to your input. Thank you.

Please stay safe.

Mayor Sean Wright

The curfew will be in effect each night from 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. ending June 8, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

By Rolando Bonilla, Public Information Officer, City of Antioch

Antioch, Calif., (June 2, 2020 5:10 PM) – Today, the City of Antioch has announced that it will extend its citywide curfew until 5:00 AM on Monday, June 8, 2020.

The curfew will begin each night at 6:00 PM and expire each morning at 5:00 AM. The Order will expire on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.

Pursuant to this curfew, no persons shall be upon any public street, avenue, alley, park, way, or any other public place or upon unimproved private real property in the City of Antioch.

“The City continues to monitor the situation throughout the Bay Area,” said Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks. “Recently, we have received information that we have determined to be a credible threat to the City. However, in the interest of public safety, the City cannot comment further.”

According to Chief Brooks, the city manager has the sole authority to order a curfew. But, according to Mayor Sean Wright, Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal did so, yesterday with the advice of Wright and Brooks, with input from City Attorney Thomas Smith.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.