Reverend James Lawson, a beacon of hope and resilience, has left an indelible mark on both West Adams, Los Angeles and civil rights activism. Born into a lineage of Methodist ministers, he was nurtured by the ethos of nonviolent resistance, instilled by his mother, Philane. His journey led him to the pulpit of Holman United Methodist Church in West Adams, Los Angeles, where he dedicated his life to fostering change.
In 1989, in West Adams, Lawson continued to demonstrate goodwill in his efforts to provide sanctuary for Salvadoran refugees and to secure food and shelter for the homeless. During post-riot months, his church fed the people of West Adams as he spoke out against the systematic case of hunger that the area was facing. In 1994, he led a West Adams group to Aid Cuba Despite Embargo. The group announced plans to travel through the Southwest, then to Mexico, and on to Cuba. His work both mobilizing and supporting West Adams residents, was unmatched.
At 95, Reverend Lawson’s legacy transcends time, as he tirelessly trained activists in the art of nonviolent protest. His unwavering commitment to social justice, spanning decades, bore witness to his advocacy for gay rights, workers’ rights, and his vocal opposition to war. Lawson’s activism was wide-ranging. He protested the Cold War, spent more than a year in prison for refusing the Korean War draft, and was jailed multiple times in several states, once for praying on White House grounds.
Reverend Lawson’s belief in the triumph of the Black freedom movement was unyielding. He envisioned it as the second major American revolutionary struggle, a testament to his enduring optimism and conviction. Moreover, his unwavering support for institutions like the William Grant Still Arts Center underscored his dedication to nurturing cultural and artistic expressions within his community. The co-naming of a milelong stretch of Adams Boulevard in South Los Angeles as the Reverend James Lawson Mile happened in January of this year.
As we bid farewell to this luminary, let us carry forth his torch of compassion, equality, and unwavering resolve. Rest in power, Reverend James Lawson Jr.
The William Grant Still Arts Center 