Each memorial directly following the tragedy created a space to grieve, honor, and join together.
May 24, 2014
A candlelight vigil was held the day after the tragedy. Thousands of students and community members walked from Storke Tower to Anisq’Oyo Park, retracing the route where classmates and friends’ lives were cut short.
Spontaneous Memorials
Throughout Isla Vista, various locations became spontaneous sites for leaving flowers, origami cranes, messages, and more. Each site became a collection of grief, passion, togetherness, and love. Items from each site were preserved and are on display in the Library Artifact Exhibit.
Memorial Wall at the Arbor
A “Memorial Wall at the Arbor” was created in the weeks following the tragedy. It was a four sided wooden structure created by graduate student Melissa Barthelemy, and two undergraduate students who were friends with one of the victims, Christopher Michaels-Martinez. One of the undergraduate art students, Madison Dykstra, painted the 6 victims names in an interconnected wave. Over the course of weeks, campus and community members, many of whom knew the victims personally wrote messages with paint markers on the walls. Eventually, a sealant was applied to protect the structure from the elements. The structure stood on campus for five years until it became too faded from the sun. At the time of its creation students found it very important to have a memorial space on the center of campus where people could grieve collectively and find community support.
May 27, 2014
On May 27, the University hosted a memorial service for the six victims. Student groups gave musical performances and religious leaders offered prayers and messages of support. Chancellor Yang spoke, saying “As we grieve, we also remember the joy and the light they brought into this world. We are privileged to count them part of a UC Santa Barbara family…It is true that many dark and difficult days lie ahead, but we will continue to draw strength and comforts from each other, and we will become an even stronger university and community.”
May 28, 2014
On Wednesday, the UCSB Surf Club hosted a memorial Paddle-Out. With origins in Hawaiian surf culture, the Paddle-Out honored the lives and legacies of those lost. Thousands of surfers and paddle-boarders gathered at Campus Point, with hundreds more onlookers from the cliffs.
October 8, 2014
As a surprise to students, UCSB alumnus and renowned musician Jack Johnson played a free concert in Storke Plaza along with Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO). Thousands of students were in attendance, many skipping class to sing and dance with their peers. The concert promoted unity on campus and played a significant role in the rebuilding of the community.
National Support
Schools across the United States gathered to host vigils and memorials honoring the victims of the tragedy.
