CTA Peace and Justice Human Rights Award
Awarded to a member who has promoted peace and justice within their school and community in areas such as inspiring youth to study and get involved in peace and justice issues and participating in relevant community activities.

Greg Lawson

ELEMENTARY TEACHER
North Cow Creek Educators Assn. and human rights advocate for the Shasta Cascade Service Center Council

Greg Lawson was the first teacher to bring an awareness of history from multiple perspectives to a classroom at North Cow Creek School in rural Northern California. Previously, fourth grade students’ study of California history began with a minor mention of the Native Californians from the textbooks, which did not include any local tribes.

In addition to designing and implementing curriculum about issues of peace, justice and international understanding, Lawson has promoted these issues along with cooperation and awareness of other nations of the world in Shasta County and beyond for many years. Before serving as president of North Cow Creek Educators Assn., he was involved with iAct, an anti-genocide educational nonprofit. Lawson was moved to write a song the first time Camp Darfur came to Redding, called “For the Camps.” (He made an album with this name and has since written many more songs.)

When the 2008 Olympics track and field trials were being held, Lawson was invited to sing at a protest against Chinese investment with the dictator of Sudan, who was leading the genocide against black Africans in the Darfuri region. His songs have been used by anti-genocide groups in the U.S., Africa and Europe. He has presented Darfur fundraiser concerts with the local Genocide No More nonprofit.

Creating awareness and educating people on human rights and justice in a very conservative part of California is not an easy task. Lawson has worked at this for 20 years. He is a founding member of The Shasta Beloved Community, a member of the Shasta County Citizens Advocating Respect (formerly Shasta County Citizens Against Racism; the name was change after a gay couple was murdered in their bed), and The Anti-Racism Task Force. His presence at Redding Pride, Juneteenth and The Sikh Center’s International Day with a CTA booth are just a few of things he did this last year.