Arcata, CA–Yesterday at the D Street Neighborhood Center the City of Arcata held a public forum to address concerns of racism and safety for people of color in Arcata’s community.
These forums were asked for by the mother of Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson. Lawson was killed at a house party last year April 2017. Although a suspect was arrested at the scene, he was released three weeks later due to insufficient evidence to hold him for trial.
There is currently no one in custody for Lawson’s death.
The City of Arcata agreed to six public sessions which were abruptly ended after the fourth one turned “contentious” between city officials, Humboldt State University administration and students of color who were frustrated over the lack of progress in Lawson’s case.
The meetings were resumed after Ms. Lawson asked for them to continue by city officials and they will be held the last Thursday of every month.
https://soundcloud.com/tina-sampay/episode-1-slasuon-girl-speaks-arcata-forum-on-racism-and-david-josiah-lawson
After last nights open forum, I had the pleasure of recording the first segment of my podcast Slauson Girl Speaks with three, young, HSU students who were in attendance. They shared with me their thoughts on how the meeting went and how they feel about the lack of justice in Lawson’s case almost a year later.
