Approximately 30 people gathered in Manila yesterday to celebrate the life of David Josiah Lawson, the Humboldt State University sophomore fatally stabbed at an off-campus party April 15, 2017.
Seventeen months later Lawson’s killing remains unsolved.
Saturday’s vigil was led by Lawson’s mother, Charmaine Lawson, and was held at his favorite local beach, near the Manila Community Center. Attendees joined hands and shared memories before tossing roses into the surf.
For the most recent update on Lawson’s still unsolved homicide, read past coverage here. And check out photographer Mark McKenna’s slideshow below with images of the vigil.
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This article appears in Burger Week 2018.
As a member of the Justice for Josiah Committee and Eureka community & NAACP member, I want to thank the North Coast Journal for the sensitive article and beautiful pictures of the September 15, 2018 monthly vigil for David Josiah (DJ) Lawson, an HSU student who was viciously murdered at an off campus party on April 15, 2017. His mother, Charmaine Michelle Lawson and his family, friends and her supporters will continue to hold these monthly vigils in the community until his murderer is brought to justice. Moreover, Ms. Lawson, works tirelessly with the California Faculty Association and other individuals and groups to urge the Chancellor ans Board of Trustees of the California State University system to take responsibility and make necessary changes to the policies and procedures for the recruitment, retention and education of students, particularly students of color and Indigenous Peoples, to ensure their safety on campus and in the communities in which they live, learn, work and play. Thank you again for capturing the love, laughter, tears and determination we bring to honor the memory of DJ and his mother and grieving family.
Meg Stofsky