Lack of Quorum Prevents Antioch Ceasefire Discussion from Occurring

Sitting all by himself at the dais, Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe was the only member of the City Council to attend its special meeting on a ceasefire resolution for the Israel-Hamas War.

With no quorum, the meeting was called and then adjourned in under a minute with councilmembers Mike Barbanica, Lori Ogorchock, Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson all absent. For the meeting to occur, at least three members of the city council need to be in attendance.

Prior to the meeting being called, Barbanica and Ogorchock stated they would not be in attendance due to prior commitments, however, no word yet on why Torres-walker or Wilson were also absent.

On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council was to discuss and possibly direct staff on a ceasefire resolution for the Israel-Hamas War. This will come during a special meeting.

1. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION FOR THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR (PROPOSED BY COUNCILMEMBER TORRES-WALKER)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the City Council discuss, receive public comments, and provide direction to staff on a proposed ceasefire resolution for the Israel-Hamas war

Back on October 26, without specifically naming Gaza and Israel, Antioch City Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker called for a ceasefire and urged leaders to condemn all terrorist actions on both sides.

“Passive leadership is confusing, and it lacks pointedness. We should be reflecting what the world is going through right now and condemn all terrorist actions on both sides of the issue facing the Muslim and the Jewish community. We should all be calling for a ceasefire on all sides. We should be condemning colonialism in all its forms. In this moment we should be finding ways locally to be bringing together the Muslim and Jewish community and the discussion on how we build unity at the basic level. Free Palestine until its backwards, condemn terrorist actions on all sides and ceasefire.”

Her comments came during council communications but no future agenda item request were issued that night.

Torres-Walker’s comments also come as the the  Richmond City Council Passes Resolution to Support Palestinians in Gaza. That meeting was 7-hours and had more than 200 public comments. The Richmond City Council ultimately voted 5-1 to approve a resolution affirming Richmond’s Support and Solidarity with the Palestinian People of Gaza.

Barbanica has Scheduling Conflict

Councilmember Mike Barbanica has a scheduling conflict Tuesday. Barbanica expalined he informed Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe over a week ago when he called he had a scheduling conflict for Tuesday, March 19. He will not be in attendance.

Ogorchock Not Available to Attend Meeting

In speaking with Councilman Lori Ogorchock, she stated she had no previous knowledge of the meeting nor if she was available, but was notified by text message by the acting city manager on Saturday there would be a meeting. She said due to a previous schedule engagement, she is unavailable to attend.

Antioch City Council – Special Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
6:00 pm
200 H Street Antioch, CA
Agenda – click here

Related

• Feb 24 , 2023 – Letter: El Cerrito Residents Demand Ceasefire in Gaza
• Dec 13, 2023 – Brentwood Moves Forward with Proclamation to Support Peace and Condemn Islamophobia
• Dec 12, 2024 – CAIR-SFBA Urges Bay Area Residents to Advocate for Ceasefire Resolution
• Dec 5, 2023 – Assembly Republicans to Introduce Resolution Condemning Hamas
• Nov 15, 2023 – Brentwood to Work on Resolution Calling for a Ceasefire and Peace
• Nov 7, 2023 – Two Resign from Richmond Board Over Pro-Palestinian Resolution
• Oct 26, 2023 – Antioch: Tamisha Torres-Walker Calls for Ceasefire in Middle East
• Oct 25, 2023 – Richmond City Council Passes Resolution to Support Palestinians in Gaza