On Monday, Antioch City Councilwoman Tamisha Torress-Walker called on fellow councilmember Don Freitas to resign while issuing a public apology.
In December, Freitas called for the termination of the city attorney while stating the previous city council was already out of compliance with the city manager contract. Then at the January 28 council meeting, he responded to racial slurs made by Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie May by calling for a code of conduct and her resignation.
While Torres-Walker did not respond at the council meeting, she took to public comment Monday at the Antioch Police Oversight Commission meeting where she accused Freitas of bullying and inciting bigoted and racists comments online.
Here is what Torres-Walker said Monday:
“My message to the commission, when people can’t take something from you as initially intended, they ask you to give it up. And if you don’t give it up, they will challenge those around you to take it from you in an effort to save themselves. So, what does this mean for the commission—resist! Resist these coordinated attacks and biased attacks and continue to do the work that God of your choice, of you’re understanding has called you to do in such a moment like this.
Let God deal with the unbelievers who were sent to steal, kill and destroy more than two decades of progress, first started by Frank Sterling, who is here today and Kathryn Wade who had to leave.
Lastly, what I would like to say since we have come to this point is that in lieu of City Councilmember Don Freitas resigning from the city council himself, maybe we should request a public apology from Councilmember Freitas for publicly threatening and humiliating city attorney Smith before his resignation from the city. For bullying the city manager and bullying city staff. For inciting bigoted, racists and violent rhetoric online and publicly. And further dividing our community at a time when we should be coming together.”
Torres-Walkers comments came after the Antioch Police Oversight Commisison had a nearly 30-minute discussion under an Emergency Item to discuss May’s racial slur. The commission agreed to begin working towards a decorum document to establish an agreement of “etiquette” for all members of the commission. They are also going to look into training.
Councilemmber Freitas was also in the audience observing the meeting when Torres-Walker made her comment. He has not responded to her statement.
Freitas recalled comments made by Antioch Police Oversight Commissioner Leslie May on January 17, a special meeting, where the council was set to discuss the city attorney – who later resigned.
“Something that I found very troubling because words matter,” stated Freitas. “When you have a particular individual stand up and using derogatory terms to the city manager and then city attorney. It was very troubling to me. What was most troubling was that when we adjourned and we got into the elevator to go to the third floor to conduct our closed session, the city manager was in tears. That’s not acceptable and I would recommend that on January 10, when you talked about a Code of Conduct, not only for ourselves, but for board members, commission members because they are representing us, the city of Antioch.
And some of the most racist statements were made and it concerns me that this particular individual is on the police oversight committee who is supposed to be monitoring behavior in the department. One issue is racism.
It is absolutely unacceptable in any form to use the “n” word not once, not twice, but directed to the city manager and then city attorney. I personally believe that this individual owes an apology to the city manager, this council and the community. I would strongly recommend that she resign from the police oversight commission and that we get the code of conduct so that we know what is expected of us as individuals, as elected members and appointed members. Thank you.”
Related Stories:
- Feb 4 – Antioch Police Oversight Commission Discuss “Racial Slur”
- Jan 30 – Freitas Wants Antioch Code of Conduct, Resignation of Oversight Commissioner
- Jan 21 – Antioch City Attorney Resigns
- Dec 11 – Freitas Calls on Termination of Antioch City Attorney, Requests Other Items
