Home Antioch Antioch Mayor Denounces Hate Crime, Calls for Community to Come Together

Antioch Mayor Denounces Hate Crime, Calls for Community to Come Together

by ECT

On Thursday, Antioch Mayor Wade Harper held a press conference with members of the faith based community and the local chapter of the NAACP to speak out against hate crime.

Mayor Harper stood with members of his city council and other community leaders denounced recent actions where on September 7 at approximately 3:12 am, the Antioch Police Department received a call of a house fire at a residence in the 5100 block of McCormick Court.

Officers determined that an unknown responsible spray painted a racial slur and a swastika on the victim’s residence. The responsible also threw Molotov cocktails at the residence, catching the roof and bushes on fire. Damage to the residence was minimal and no one was injured.

The Antioch Police are still investigating the incident.

“We are here today because of a terrible crime that happened in the city of Antioch,” said Mayor Wade Harper. “We didn’t see justice; we didn’t see kindness and saw no humility in that terrible act that was committed.”

Harper highlighted how they were not there to talk about the positive things in Antioch noting the Presidential Award for a Deer Valley Teacher Maria McClain, or talk about the number 1 football recruit in the country Najee Harris or the director filming a movie in our town.

“While there are great things happening and great people who come out of the City of Antioch, we are not here to talk about that today. We are here to take a stand as a city, as a city council, against the horrendous hate crime that occurred at around 3:00 am yesterday on McCormick Court.”

Harper highlighted the incident and said it will not be tolerated.

“This does not happen in Antioch and this will not be allowed to happen in the City of Antioch. I want you to be clear about that, that our entire city council stands against that. Our entire police department and entire community stands against that,” said Harper. My first reaction was anger and frustration that this type of crime would occur where I am raising my children and we all are raising our children and grandchildren.”

Harper continues

“It seems as if we are seeing a decline in crime and moving in the right direction, something like this would happen bringing to our attention that our work is not done yet,” says Harper. “I know the police have a video and the investigation is continuing. We are not here to talk about that and we will not interfere with any investigation.”

Her further stated.

“While every city has crime, in Antioch, our faith will not be shaken by this incident,” said Harper. “I still believe that the greatness of the city of Antioch does not lay in our beautiful waterfront, our Prewett Water Park, or golf courses, it lies in our people. We will come together city of Antioch as a community and we will not be in fear and will not be victimized.”

Harper encouraged those in the community to start a neighborhood watch program if they did not already have one and if one does not know their neighbors, get to know them.

“I spoke with Ms. Williams today, found out my entire city council stopped by her house to show concern. I assured her the residents of Antioch can show her way more love than that one person could show her hate.”

Harper relayed comments by Ms. Williams highlighting her faith in Antioch.

“She wants to let the community know one bad seed does not destroy her faith in Antioch or the members of the community. She wanted to thank the community for reaching out to her and let everyone know that she is going to be okay,” explained Harper.

Harper called today for an effort of the entire community.

We are coming together and standing firm saying Antioch is a great cty and we are not going to tolerate it and let this happen again,” said Harper.

Pastor Chris Williams of the Church of Antioch who stated

We come together today to stand with this city, this mayor, its police department and the citizens of Antioch to as faith based leaders to offer our support and desire to cause the city of Antioch to become a place of love,” said Williams. “We want to conquer the hatred that they have been shown over the past day and its our desire to stand with the city to make sure we are able to express that love to this family and be spread across the city to take a stand and show the world to make a statement that Antioch is a place of love and not hate.”

hate-crime-antiochimg_7319Charles Glasper of the East County NAACP stated hate crimes will not be tolerated and they will stand united.

“This appears to be a hate crime of the most egregious nature. As you know, personal bias compels a perpetrator to act. This bias not only terrorizes the intended victims, but it terrorizes the entire community as well. However today our community will stand together in peaceful co-existence and we will prevail.

Glasper highlighted that members of the NAACP have been in contact with the Antioch Police Department and have been assured that this matter is one of their departments 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 all is being done to swiftly to bring any and all perpetrators to justice,” said Glasper.

Here is a video of the press conference:

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7 comments

Ahmed Khan Sep 9, 2016 - 3:27 pm

The attempted swastika shows this dude only has potentially a 7th grade education. I remember the violent sociopath kids who could never quite draw the simple archaic symbol of peace; never could comprehend its power enough to ever depict it in its correct geometric design. Thus, just like their backwards understanding of it, they draw it backwards as well.

RJ B Sep 9, 2016 - 11:08 pm

Your post is way too educated for most people to understand in Antioch.

Very well said, however.

R , j, b Sep 10, 2016 - 6:48 am

It would have been nice if Harper held a conference for/with the victims of the families whose loved ones were murdered in Antioch. I read there has been 35 murders since Haroer took office. I wonder if he believes this hate crime, where no one was injured, is worse than murder.

Harper seems to be very quick for a photo opportunity, but will never address the ongoing violent crimes that we, hard working tax paying citizens, have to live with.

Torn Sep 10, 2016 - 10:25 am

Yeah no kidding. That’s how the nuts in charge roll, pick and choose whatever bs they think will benefit them the most. I doubt this is the only hate crime to have taken place during his tenure.

Fred Rouse Sep 10, 2016 - 10:42 am

It is just sick that someone has the ignorance and hatred to do this. This is a hate crime. No excuse. This is not our City. This does not reflect our values or our community. These are the types of issues that feed the needs of the few that spoil our world. Justice, Equality, and love for our fellow man must prevail if we are to pull together to rid our homes and streets of this hate. We should not rest until we find the person or persons who did this and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. We must also seek out the root of this vile act. It is the lack of understanding that has caused such a rift. I for one embrace our differences as much as our sameness. No one wants crime, blight, homeless, hate, unjust treatment, inequality and lack of caring our City. The majority of Antioch residents want a better City. We are a better City than this and we can pull together to stop this right now.

Nick Sep 10, 2016 - 10:07 pm

All crimes are hate crimes. Like there’s any love behind any of it, regardless of the crime. To add an extra label to any crime is ridiculous. Crime is crime, and all crimes are illegal.

NO CRIME should be tolerated.

Red Sep 14, 2016 - 10:55 am

I would like to be informed when this HOAX is discovered…I mean when they catch the “perp.”
[email protected]

Furthermore, I hope the “perp” is made an example out of.

Comments are closed.