A New Website and Billboard on 101: Mother Seeks Justice in Humboldt for the Fatal Stabbing of her Son, David Josiah Lawson

Charmaine Lawson announces the new Justice in Humboldt website at the Humboldt County Courthouse October 15.  (All Videos and photos by Ryan Hutson)

At a rally Friday in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse, Charmaine Lawson, mother of slain HSU student David Josiah Lawson, announced two new actions designed to draw attention to what she feels is a failure of the system in her son’s case and to help other families facing similar failures. These actions include a new social justice project that will provide resources and support to BIPOC community members struggling to deal with the legal and political system here and two new billboards (one in Humboldt and one in Southern California) promoting the story of Josiah and urging the election of a new District Attorney.

While Charmaine Lawson is well known locally after over four years of publicly gathering support and asking for corroborating witnesses or further evidence, she has also gained a reputation for being candid when it comes to the facts of her son’s homicide, especially as time has worn on.  In opening up a platform for the public to access and submit information in one place regarding these tax-funded institutions and potential indiscretions or outright injustices, Lawson and supporters are inviting others to bring stories of injustice forward to be documented with Justice in Humboldt.   

Lawson and members of the Justice for Josiah committee have initiated a project to assist in holding County officials and institutions accountable for wrongdoings and incompetence.  As stated on the Justice in Humboldt website, “If you, your friends, or your family have experienced a lack of justice due to indifference or disregard by the justice system in Humboldt please contact Justice In Humboldt for free resources and to connect with other community members seeking justice.” 

The goal of the project is to provide resources and support for those seeking justice for acts of violence, racism, or other forms of discrimination in the county, and to ultimately assist community members to achieve justice and equity from local public servants and tax-funded institutions such as local police and government. The mission statement reads in part, “Justice in Humboldt was created to inform and educate the citizens of Humboldt County of the many failures of tax dollar funded institutions of Humboldt County, specifically: the judicial system, law enforcement, education and health. We emphasize on the treatment of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); it will include the homeless and all citizens in Humboldt.”  

The website is currently operational, and offers a newsletter as well as several links to further information, previous journalism related to unsolved local cases, including the Josiah Lawson case.  There is a page which offers visitors an option to “file a complaint” against the current District Attorney of Humboldt County, Maggie Fleming. 

“File a complaint” option available on the Justice in Humboldt website. (Screengrab from website, October 15, 2021)

At the rally, Lawson addressed the crowd with the help of a PA system and a microphone.  Several times, she gestured to the Humboldt County Courthouse behind her, or upward to the District Attorney’s office and stated, “Justice will be served!” 

At times during the rally, an organizer on the microphone shouted to the crowd, “We shouldn’t have to send our BIPOC babies out of this county to be safe!” as the crowd cheered.  Stating that this project was a direct result of experiences with Humboldt County’s collectively mistreated minority communities, the organizer exclaimed, “We’re not going to take it any more!”

As she introduced the Justice in Humboldt project, Christina Lastra, spoke of her mother, whom Lastra explained is “counted as a murdered indigenous women” and whose death was ruled an accident in Humboldt County over 30 years ago.

In addition to the website, Justice In Humboldt (JIH) is raising money for a billboard located on Hwy 101 between Arcata and Eureka. Justice in Humboldt has already purchased the right to use the billboard. A matching billboard is going to be presented in southern California, just in time for students to return home from college to enjoy the holidays with family. Lawson and the Justice in Humboldt committee said they are strategically advertising in both areas, hoping to prompt a discussion outside of Humboldt County as well as “behind the Redwood Curtain.”  

The slated billboard for Humboldt County features business logos of contributors, as indicated by the JIH billboard webpage, “We invite you to have your organization’s logo featured on JIH billboard for the months specified.” (Image of the billboard provided by Justice in Humboldt)

A page on the website states, “We would like to invite your organization to be part of the Justice In Humboldt by putting a link to your website on JIH website.”  

The Justice in Humboldt emblem, as displayed on the new website, and on billboards planned for Humboldt County and Southern California.   (Screengrab from website, October 15, 2021)

The billboard will advertise 3 points of importance according to JIH, it will promote the Justice in Humboldt website, advertise the “unresolved murder of David Josiah Lawson” and address “the need for a Humboldt DA who fights for the rights of all equally.”

Christina Lastra, a co-organizer of JIH explained that the idea to form the advocacy platform was a natural response to the experiences that Charamine and others, including herself, have experienced in Humboldt County. Lasta explained to our reporter in an interview, “It is said that out of all things adverse, good comes, and the good that has come is that we are friends, we are fighting together, I have a friend for life – a sister for life, and together we have created Justice for Humboldt.” 

Lawson calls out the “alleged murderer” of her son, issues a public challenge of awareness, saying “know his story,” and “know that this is an injustice.” 

In the four and a half years since the stabbing of HSU student David Josiah Lawson, his family and friends have never given up hope of finding closure, and seeing justice for his violent, untimely death.  In some views, Humboldt County has earned a reputation over the years as a dangerous – even lawless place where murders go unsolved regularly. According to organizers, Justice in Humboldt (JIH) is an attempt to address these unsolved homicide cases, missing persons reports and instances of hate crimes and give support to the victims.

Lawson at one point during a rally said, “This should be a house of justice… It SHOULD be.”  [Photo by Ryan Hutson, courthouse Justice for Josiah rally, June 2020]

On the other hand, in July 2021, Charmaine Lawson prevailed in the civil lawsuit against the city of Arcata, and settled with the city for $200,000.  

This year, Lawson was again not shy about naming the person that law enforcement originally held responsible, even describing the crime in some detail, calling it “a hate crime” while quoting one of the alleged accomplices.  As the crowd listened intently, Lawson spoke publicly to strangers, in a plea for witnesses, as she had done so many times before over the course of the last several years.   

Charmaine Lawson appeals to the public, “This is a hate crime.” 

We spoke with Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn following the announcement.  Having inherited the Lawson case and all the challenges it presented to the department, Ahearn has shown a willingness to be up front with supporters of Justice for Josiah. Charmaine Lawson tells us that he is “definitely honest” when it comes to discussing her son’s homicide, and that “I do hold him accountable” for his work in the department.  

The Police Chief expressed support for the Lawson family, and provided this feedback in regard to the Justice in Humboldt Project.  “Partnering with Justice In Humboldt is an opportunity to build upon advocating for victims of crime,” he said. “ The safety of a community is oftentimes elevated when community, police and prosecutors collaborate for a common goal.” 

Charmaine Lawson with Chief Brian Ahearn. [Photo taken April 15, 2019 by Ryan Hutson]

He told us, “This is the bedrock of community policing.  The investigation into the murder of David Josiah Lawson is on-going.  While the evidence has been preserved there are many who were at the party who remain unidentified and have not been interviewed.  Gathering information from all who were present is essential in completing this investigation.  The hope is that through the work of Justice In Humboldt and all community organizations those who were present will come forward and be heard.” 

Charmaine Lawson told us after the rally in an interview that it was encouraging to see so many local storefront with a “faded, original poster still up” in their window, saying that it is one thing that gives her hope – to see that some local business owners have not forgotten. She added that it is not political, telling us that “it is an injustice,” and that store owners who are unwilling to carry a poster are lacking awareness.  For now, Justice in Humboldt is only getting started, but hopes to increase the level of community awareness and help achieve justice where possible, according to organizers.  

A Justice for Josiah flier from the new website advertises a reward.

To that end, Justice in Humboldt, the Arcata Police Department as well as the Lawson family remind the public that there is still a $55,000 reward available, and business owners are still encouraged to support the efforts by featuring a Justice for Josiah poster in a business storefront when possible.   

Before the rally came to a close, a song written for Josiah Lawson and the Lawson family was performed, and concluded with a gospel song “to lift” the crowd up after an afternoon of heavy speeches. 

As with many rallies and grassroots protests, there was a guitar on hand, and a soulful musician to offer a melody.