During Tuesday nights Antioch City Council meeting, Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker issued a statement during council communications and future agenda items.
Her brief statement rejected the idea of issuing an apology for her 9-minute rant against the Antioch Police Department which included foul language and multiple accusations against the police department. That incident is now under investigation and no information has been released to date. She also called out those who are using racially motivated attacks against her.
Here is a transcript of her statement (1:37:00 minute mark of the meeting):
“I would like to say, to the community, there have been some things that have been raised. I would like to say I am very well educated; I am actually the director of a county wide organization. I am a homeowner. I have years of training under my belt. I’ve traveled across the country and out of this country helping other communities address issues around racial disparity and equity and criminal justice as well as community policing. I am a great mother. My sons are amazing, and every young person makes mistakes. I also support and represent a lot of young people, foster youth and youth that have been impacted by criminalization from this very community. Youth timing out of systems because the community has failed them. That is what I bring to the table and to the community.
I just want to say I have been silent because normally I am very reflective. I am very thoughtful and very strategic. I want to let people know I have no intention on apologizing. I feel that my family deserves better in this city like every other family and I deserve quality policing services like every other resident.
I would also like to say it has been unfortunate to be called —- {racial slur}, b-i-t-c-h, a hood rat, a thug, a criminal. All of these things that are racial motivated, hate mail sent to my home, people showing up to my home, and I just want to say if I am going to be held to a higher standard, then you also need to reflect on your behavior and held to a higher standard. Racism is a real thing in this city and I am not going to pretend it doesn’t exist. And I also do not appreciate the hateful comments and messages that have been directed to other councilmembers who are also people of color.
I think if we all want to move this city forward and we want to work together for the betterment and better quality of life for all residents in Antioch, black indigenous people, people of color and poor people then we need to all get out from behind our keyboard and create deep relationship and have real conversations instead of making assumptions about who we are and why we are at the table and what we have to bring to the table.”
Mayor Offers No Timeline on Police Body Camera Vote
During future agenda items, Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock asked if tasers for the police department and community cameras would come back to the council in the month of March agenda. Thorpe said he did not have a date and when he did, he would let the city manager know and staff would be prepared.
“And that is if I decide to bring it back,” stated Thorpe.
Councilmember Mike Barbanica began asking for clarification about the body cameras, tasers and dash cameras when Thorpe cut him off asking if there was a future agenda item request.
“There is, my request is when that comes that all of those items to that agenda in march that all of those items are included in one conversation and one agenda item,” stated Barbanica.
Thorpe said he would take it under consideration for March and would him know what he decided.
At that point, Walker then issued her statement as shown above without interruption or point of order.
Editors Note:
Since 2016, the Antioch City Council has had several conversations regarding police worn body cameras including a June 2016 council meeting where then Chief Allan Cantando presented the item calling it a matter of time before officers had cameras—this came after protest of police misconduct. By February 2017, when the item returned which the council opted against cameras citing cost.
Most recently, the idea of body cameras have been brought up in the budget study sessions on two occasions, however, the council opted not to bring the issue forward under Chief Tammany Brooks.
Councilmemebrs Lori Ogorchock, Mike Barbanica and Tamisha Torres-Walker have all expressed support of body cameras in the past with it even being requested on the agenda several times in the past year.
Brentwood has had body cameras since 2007 while Pittsburg Police have had them since 2010. Antioch is only one of 4 agencies in Contra Costa County without body cameras.
31 comments
Yes, she does need to be held to a higher standard. She ran for the office. Rather pathetic that she complains about vulgarity and epithets being directed against her after she slings them out herself. Doesn’t appear that this councilperson has mastered much in life except for the f-word.
Having just watched her statement, thank you for the link, I am embarrassed for Antioch. She should just apologize and move on. Instead, she is digging herself a deeper grave. What does she think is going to happen when and if the video of her children’s incident is released? She is going to look like a fool.
If the police did wrong, which I highly doubt, because they would have been fired already, then that is another issue. But given her behavior, she obviously doesn’t understand elected officials are ALWAYS held to a higher standard. If she doesn’t understand that, she doesn’t deserve to be representing the residents of Antioch and she should be recalled.
But on a bigger question, why is Lamar Thorpe holding up body cameras? Who does he think he is? Shame on him.
We can all agree the racial nonsense directed at her is not appropriate, just like her behavior is not appropriate. She needs to apologize so everyone can move on.
Her comments at the city council meeting were calm and measured. Interesting that she said:
“I just want to say I have been silent because normally I am very reflective. I am very thoughtful and very strategic. ” Which certainly did not come across to me the first time I ever saw her speak. At that time she was ranting. Maybe this was a “strategic move” on her part to bring about a change that she desires. Anyway, to me, it was not a good way to be introduced to the community at large.
Well Ms. Torres-Walker,
When I was raised I was always taught that YOUR actions reflect your personality. So, If it walks like a duck, acts like a duck and quacks like a duck, IT’S A FRICKEN DUCK!
Resign NOW.
You NEVER told people during your run for office that your were a felon. Thats against ALL CA code of ethics.
Elect ghetto and you get ghetto!
What does anyone expect from this garbage? Plague is plague.
Well act like a hood rat, get treated like a hood rat.
Lamar is another classless individual who doesn’t want body cameras for fear it would record him or his supporters doing illegal or unethical things.
The lady needs to apologize for her choice of words, and let it go. Move on to actually bringing her agenda to fruition. Otherwise, she is a foul-mouthed bag of hot air
I couldn’t care less what color the kids are who are riding illegal dirt bikes on the city streets, endangering themselves and others. The laws are the laws and blaming enforcement of them on skin color makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Directed toward Two Wheeler…please tell me what a “hood rat” is. Pretty sure you know nothing of any hoods and even less about black Americans. So it would be okay for me to refer to you as a meth pipe smoking, oxy doper, who molests their kids?? Well gee 95% convicted pedophiles come from your “hood” visit downtown or Oakley to see those pipers and other “suburbia rats”. All folks have some issues but you sound perfect
I lived in Antioch for 9 years. Never had an issue with police except for tickets. But that was my bad. I did have a county sheriff pull a gun on me at the deer valley burgerking for doing a phat burnout, no reg, no insurance, no license. He let me go and told me not to say anything about it.
Overall, you treat the police with respect, they will give it back to you, even when your in the wrong. You cop an attitude with them you’ll get the same back, but that’s common sense.
The Antioch police are an overall great bunch of people. They helped me when my place was robbed, they gave me a ride when my car broke down. They have helped others I know of out the kindness of their hearts and some they had too. They have a hard job, they passed their training. But maybe their training doesn’t cover enough, because there are some ignorant people out there that really can escalate a nothing situation. If you think you can do better, I recommend you try to be a police officer, it pays well.
I know people in the city gov like Ron Bernel, great guy, great family man and cares for his community. You would never see a person like that pull something this lady did. He would go through the proper channels to deal with the situation if it arose.
As an elected official, she is held to a higher standard. If she can’t see that, then she’s got to go.
Antioch is a diverse city. A great city. Treat it that way.
Very well said Zajailka
Antioch does not need council persons of this low quality. It does not need felons to guide the city. It does not need anti police conjecture from fowl mouthed individuals claiming to be a leader. Get rid of those as fast as you can before more damage to the community is done. Censure, recall, step down needs to be implemented for the betterment of the city.
To coastrider: Ppl like u cry about stereotypes and then here u are throwing out your own. When will you develop intellect eniugh to look at real data instesd of picking and choosing what fits your narrative. Confirmation bias seems to have infected you like Covid. It seems as if you are totally unaware of the increase in meth use in black and brown populations or that the opioid have hit them just as hard. And come on man acting like white ppl are the only molesters is dumb as dirt. I’m a psychologist who treats victims of child sex abuse. I see ppl of all colors whose parents or relatives csnt control themselves and abuse them. U think poor ass white people dont live in their own “hoods” come on man take a drive through the south, or the Appalachias or any sad ass trailwr park in the bay. But u keep spinning your fantasy man so u can delude yourself to sleep at night all it will do is continue to obscure what’s real and what is solvable. The more everyone seeks to divide themsleves or their group into a victim contest the closer we will get to this civil war these crazy mofos are clambering on about. And don’t delude yourself into thinking you’ll survive such a thing. That’s a cognitive survival bias…if things pop off we will all suffer and lose loves ones.
Hey LOVABLE! She’s no “lady!” Why is this creature still a member of the Antioch City Council. She should have been kicked out before the first meeting of the new year! Out with her! She’s nothing but a ghetto sewer rat who has no business in Antioch. Same goes for that Shagoofa idiot who was caught setting fire to a police display. Why are these arsonists being tolerated here? Thank GOD Shagoofa is not on the council. Where did this scum come from?
JILL THOMPSON – It IS appropriate! Very appropriate!
She needs to be recalled if she cannot repent of that kind of behavior!! She is a detriment to the community and needs to be removed.
Oh Coastrider, you have no idea the areas I have lived in; the government cheese I have consumed, and the school supplied meals I was provided. I didn’t use those things as excuses to act hood. I rise up. You should try the same, and so should Tamisha.
She’s “well educated?” In what? ARSON? She traveled out of the country? Like where? Tijuana, Mexico? What does this have to do with being a “homeowner?’ Anyone can be that. The woman has NO CLASS! She’s a sewer mouthed ghetto rat, nothing more! Antioch is now the laughing stock of California … both northern and southern. She needs to be gotten rid of NOW! Should have happened right after the ranting. We don’t need any more poor publicity. Why did Antioch exist for decades and decades without “youth” problems? According to my great-grandmother, it all started in the mid-late 1960’s when the ghetto rats started moving in here and it’s been going DOWNHILL since! Great-grannny is right!
We don’t want her silly-assed “apology!” We want her out of city government and hopefully, out of Antioch! Why must these people who so thorough fucked up cities like Oakland, Richmond and others, decide that Antioch was the next one to ruin? Oakland was once a gorgeous, safe city. Look what they have done to it! What business does this woman have in Antioch? Was she run out of San Pablo where she tried to burn down an occupied building? What a total POS she is!
RECALL RECALL. GET HER OUT OF OFFICE. RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. A FELON. COME PEOPLE. RECALL RECALL.
Oh? She’s a “homeowner?” Well, ta daaaa! What does that have to do with the price of beans? Maybe she’s be happier owning a home somewhere else! Lots of scumbags own homes! She’s such a great mother who teaches her kids to break the law and then yellow obscenities to protect them! WOW!
Coastrider or whatever you call yourself you are so far out of line! Hoodrat isn’t a racist term but leave it to someone like yourself to try and turn shit to a racist rant. Are you related to that city council hood rat person? You sure do act like her
Why is this woman in our city? Who invited her to come here, set up shop and start in on our police department? If anything, with people like her slowly working their way into this area, we need great numbers and more stringent police. This city is becoming another Oakland!
Just vote her and Thorpe out. Everybody sees them for who they are. She’s not qualified for the position and neither is he. We can rant about how classless she is but bottom line is get rid of her. Both her and Thorpe are turning this into a race issue but if they take a closer look….everybody, all races are disgusted and disappointed in her and the entire way this is being handeled. I just hope we have better options next election.
She cannot un-ring the bell with a pathetic statement like that. Damage is done, she needs to go. If not, then everyone else is exempt from doing the same. She cannot criticize any citizen or City employee if they too go off the rails like that. What a disturbing tone for her to set and the Mayor to allow her to stay.
We need to get rid of this stupid “district” system! Whose bright idea was this? This should be stopped! The Walker woman needs to be kicked out. I live in that district but no way in hell did I vote for her! I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid! This woman is a disaster from the get-go. She should be kicked out along with this asshat “mayor” and the Wilson woman as well. We need some better candidates.
JG —- RFLMAO — I love your reference to the “fowl” mouthed City Council Member! She did screech like some demented parrot. The term is spelled “FOUL” .. by the way. But you made me laugh!
Love the “fowl” designation. This is too funny! No one needs the foul-mouthed Walker’s chickenshit apology. What we need it to kick her out because she doesn’t belong on that council. While some people who committed felonies and paid the price, can run for office. ARSON is not one of them. So Walker is on that council ILLEGALLY. There’s no need for a recall petition. She should not have been allowed to run in the first place.
That’s right! Bar the door when she tries to get her butt inside the meeting rooms and send her packing. No need for any recall. She’s there illegally. Why is she even attending meetings? Out with her! She can take that totally useless “mayor” with her along with the Wilson woman!
“Chickenshit” apology? I LOVE IT! Tamisha Walker is a total disgrace, but then does anyone expect anything better from the hood?
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