Video: Antioch Juneteenth Celebration

On Friday June 19, the community came together in the City of Antioch for a Juneteenth event that featured a peace walk, arts, and music.

Approximately 150 people attended to celebrate a community of 1st, Antioch’s 1st African-American Mayor, 1st African-American Councilwoman, 1st African-American Police Chief, 1st African-American District Attorney, 1st African-American County Supervisor, 1st AUSD School Board Trustee on the land of the 1st African-American resident of Antioch. During the event,

Congressman Jerry McNerney called on Juneteenth to become a National Holiday while former Antioch Mayor Wade Harper reflected on Thomas Gaines, the first African American property owner in the city. Current Mayor Sean Wright called for the community to come together and become more inclusive going forward and made a commitment to keep this event going annually.

Event Overview:

• O0:04: Claryssa Wilson, Event Organizer opening remarks
• 00:40 – Sara Speaks kicks off the event. Highlights what Juneteenth is and provides some background on Thomas Gaines.
• 04:19 – Negro National Anthem
• 05:32 – the first African American Mayor of Antioch, Wade Harper, talked about helping people. Shared some information on Thomas Gaines, the first African American Property Owner in the City of Antioch. He also talks about building trust with the police department. Harper talks about how sometimes we get on the wrong track and need to get back on the right track.
• 16:54 – Ashton receipts “Why”.
• 17:45 – Antioch Mayor Sean Wright talks about coming together and issues of police reform and racism in the community. He talks about improving as a community and doing better and being more inclusive.
• 20:11 – Congressman Jerry McNerney shares how Juneteenth celebrates freedom and how Juneteenth needs to be a National Holiday