#JusticeForJosiah protest Saturday in Arcata | Photo: John Ross Ferrara

The murder of HSU student Josiah Lawson continues to be at the forefront of the minds of many in our community. As such, KHSU host Lorna Bryant will host a special Radio Town Hall at 7 p.m. tonight. 

 

“The purpose of this program is to provide the community with factual information,” KHSU says on its website. 

Slated guests include:

• Craig Wruck, HSU University Advancement VP 
• Donn Peterson, HSU University Police Chief 
• Kenya James Nunley, HSU African American Center for Academic Excellence Coordinator 
• Alex Foster, HSU student and Brothers United member  
• Elijah Chandler, HSU student and Brothers United member  

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Arcata Mayor Susan Ornelas released a statement Monday affirming her commitment to continued investigation into Lawson’s death: 

 

As Mayor of Arcata, I too want justice for Josiah. The City wants justice for Josiah. Josiah Lawson’s death has shaken our community to its core. I, along with the other Council members, Police Chief, and City Manager commit to putting our resources, time, and energy, into the ongoing investigation to find the truth about what happened at the party the night that Josiah’s life was tragically taken.

We need to work so people of color feel safe in our community. The ongoing investigation is being treated with the seriousness and thoroughness that it warrants. To seek justice, we need time to continue the forensic and physical investigation. We also need anyone who was at the party to speak up. This truth needs to come out of the darkness. There is a tell-tale heart, or hearts, in our community. We need you to step forward and speak the truth.

I want to praise the students who were brave enough to speak truth at the preliminary hearing. Please recognize, this was just a preliminary hearing, a step in the court process, and certainly this case is still open and on-going. To friends and family of Josiah, I offer my sincere condolences, and my commitment to seeking justice.

I know some of you might be leaving the area soon, as the semester is ending, but rest assured this investigation will continue.

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HSU faculty and staff utilizing #JusticeForJosiah on social media are promoting a walkout in solidarity with students to be held at noon tomorrow convening at the UC Quad. Flyer below: 

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North Coast News has uploaded a nice compilation of video imagery from this weekend’s protests in Arcata, a response to Friday’s dismissal of charges against former murder suspect Kyle Zoellner. See below:

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ZOELLNER HEARING COVERAGE:

• DAY 1: First Witnesses Cast Doubt on Whether the Police Department’s Suspect Could Have Stabbed Victim; More Testimony Coming Tomorrow
• DAY 2: Witness Testifies That Lawson and Zoellner Were Grappling as the Victim Bled; Police Officer Describes Chaotic Crime Scene
• DAY 3: Friends Testify on ‘Girl Fight’ Between Lawson and Zoellner’s Girlfriends Prior to Fatal Stabbing
• DAY 4: More Testimony on the Knife Found at the Scene; Lawson’s Friend Testifies He Saw Zoellner Drop Something Shiny
• DAY 5: Kyle Zoellner to Be Released After Judge Reinholtsen Rules Not Enough Evidence to Hold Him For Stabbing Death of Josiah Lawson

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