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Protesters gathered at courthouse, demanding justice for Josiah


Protesters gathered at courthouse, demanding justice for Josiah
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EUREKA, Calif. - Friends and family of David Josiah Lawson, the HSU student recently murdered, gathered in front of the courthouse in Eureka Thursday, May 11 calling for justice for Lawson and demanding answers from local officials.

Around 4 p.m. protesters gathered peacefully in front of the Humboldt County Superior Court. Locking arms, demonstrators stood in the rain, unified by one cause: to spread awareness about racial inequities and to call, once again, for justice for Josiah.

David Josiah Lawson, 19, was stabbed to death during the early morning hours of April 15 at a house party in Arcata. The suspect, Kyle Christopher Zoellner, was recently released from police custody after the decision by a judge ruled that there was not enough evidence to take him to trial.

However, demonstrators were not only there to debate the court's decision to release the Zoellner. Protesters also said Lawson has become a symbol for an even greater purpose.

"I think this is a spark to come together," said HSU student Alex Foster, who participated in the protest. "This is a movement to come together. I hate that my brother--my friend--had to pass to be a symbol for this, but this is a sign of the times, that we need to be here for each other."

Unlike sentiments about last weekend's protest, Thursday's was peaceful and unobtrusive to locals. It was simply about spreading a message and wanting to be heard. Activists chanted "Justice for Josiah!" "Black lives matter!" and "Black minds matter!" among other messages, holding up picketing signs.

Eureka Police Captain Stephen Watson commented on the demonstration, saying, "I like the way they organized the protest today. They seem to be well-organized. They're very passionate but they're respectful."

"They are just out here exercising their first amendment right to peacefully assemble," he added.

Activists at the courthouse also had literature they were reading aloud from and handing out.

"What I'm holding in my hand is a pamphlet made by the friends and family of Josiah," Foster said. "This is a movement for justice for Josiah."

Foster read aloud from the papers, detailing a series of questions that activists for this cause say remain unanswered.

"Why was Zoellner's car allowed to leave the crime scene?" Foster asked. "Why weren't the clothes of the girls collected? Why weren't they finger printed? Why was the crime scene not properly secured?"

Lawson's friends and family said they will continue to protest. Even with HSU letting out soon, they said they will stay here until they get some answers.

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