Over 100 people gathered on the Arcata Plaza Monday evening for a vigil to mark two years since HSU student David Josiah Lawson was killed. Some huddled under umbrellas to fend off the light drizzle. Some held roses. Some carried candles.
Charmaine Lawson, who has made the trip north to Humboldt from Los Angeles for many of the monthly events honoring her son, spoke through tears about the pain she still feels and wondered why the system has failed her and her family.
“I don’t know how to explain any of this,” she said. “I just know I keep coming to this town and there’s no progress. There’s no justice for my son. I sent him here. He worked hard to be here. I made sacrifices for him to be here. And my son was taken. My son was butchered and no one cares. No one cares.”
A few people in the crowd assured Lawson they were with her prompting an apology and clarification from the grieving mother.
“I know you guys care. I’m sorry — wrong choice of words” she continued. “But Arcata Police Department don’t give a damn about my son. Humboldt County DA Maggie Fleming don’t give a damn about my son. Why do they think that my child’s life does not matter?”
Community members were asked to sign postcards to send to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra demanding he look into Lawson’s case
Local activist Renee Saucedo led a chant: “Hey hey! Ho ho! Racism has got to go!”
Local singers Lorenza Simmons-Phillips and Deborah Benavides lead the crowd in a rendition of Bob Marley’s “One Love”
HSU professor Michihiro Clark Sugata speaks of his memories of Josiah Lawson, who was one of his students
Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn looks on
Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson and City Manager Karen Diemer in attendance
Mike Fennell called on white people to help bring attention to Josiah’s case
Catalyst pastor Bethany Cseh led a prayer
PREVIOUS LoCO COVERAGE OF THE LAWSON CASE:
- Jail Records Reveal Name of Suspect in Fatal Arcata Stabbing
- Arcata Police Receive Anonymous Email Detailing Specifics of Arcata Homicide, Beg Author to Come Forward; Suspect Officially Named
- ‘He Was the One’: Josiah Lawson, Humboldt State Student and President of Brothers United, Remembered at Campus Prayer Service
- Zoellner Pleads Not Guilty to Arcata Stabbing Murder; Bail Set at $1 Million
- United by Tragedy, HSU Community Celebrates the Life and Mourns the Death of David Josiah Lawson
- ‘It Should Not Have Happened’: Friend of Arcata Murder Victim Believes Racism Delayed the Emergency Medical Response That Could Have Saved His Life
- ARCATA MURDER HEARING: First Witnesses Cast Doubt on Whether the Police Department’s Suspect Could Have Stabbed Victim; More Testimony Coming Tomorrow
- ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Witness Testifies That Lawson and Zoellner Were Grappling as the Victim Bled; Police Officer Describes Chaotic Crime Scene
- ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Friends Testify on ‘Girl Fight’ Between Lawson and Zoellner’s Girlfriends Prior to Fatal Stabbing
- ARCATA MURDER HEARING: More Testimony on the Knife Found at the Scene; Lawson’s Friend Testifies He Saw Zoellner Drop Something Shiny
- Judge Dismisses Case Against Kyle Zoellner, McKinleyville Man Arrested in Stabbing Death of HSU Student David Josiah Lawson
- Arcata’s Police Chief, Vice Mayor React to Zoellner Hearing Ruling
- ARCATA MURDER HEARING: Kyle Zoellner to Be Released After Judge Reinholtsen Rules Not Enough Evidence to Hold Him For Stabbing Death of Josiah Lawson
- (PHOTOS) Protesters March Through Arcata Demanding ‘Justice for Josiah’
- HSU Faculty, UPD, Brothers United Participate in Radio Town Hall on Lawson Case Tonight; Arcata Mayor Releases Statement; HSU Walk Out Planned Tuesday
- (PHOTOS/VIDEO) After Busy Week, Family and Friends of Josiah Lawson Still Seeking Justice
- Josiah Lawson’s Mother Offers $10k Reward for Information Leading to the Conviction of Son’s Killer
- Arcata Calls in Outside Investigators, Approves $21K Reward for Info Leading to Conviction of Lawson Killer
- Kyle Zoellner Appears in Court to Request Law Enforcement Return His Cell Phone, Laptops; Judge Says No
- (VIDEO) This Morning’s Lawson Murder Press Conference Offers Few Updates
- Public Investigator Working With APD in Josiah Lawson Case
- Kyle Zoellner, Once Suspected of Homicide in David Josiah Lawson Slaying, Files Claim Against City of Arcata For Defamation, Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress
- (PHOTOS) Hundreds Turn Out for Eureka MLK Day People’s Rally and March for Justice
- DA: Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone in David Josiah Lawson Case
- (VIDEO) Justice for Josiah Activists Hold First Monthly Vigil Since Grand Jury Decision; Charmaine Lawson Vows to Keep Fighting
- ‘Justice For Josiah’ Advocates Demand Arcata City Council Turn Lawson Case Over to the State
- Arcata Police Release Images of Potential Josiah Lawson Stabbing Witnesses, Ask Public’s Help
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