Petition to Reconsider the 180-Day Ban on Josh Liljenquist from Saint Paul Parks

 

 

 

Josh Liljenquist has helped thousands of people in need by providing food, support, and human connection to individuals often overlooked in our community.

 

Now, he has been banned from Saint Paul Parks for 180 days.

 

We respectfully request reconsideration of the 180-day ban imposed on Josh Liljenquist from all Saint Paul Parks and Recreation properties.

 

This request is based on the absence of any clearly identified specific incidents or conduct, and on Josh’s consistent track record of respectful, voluntary, and non-disruptive engagement within the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lack of Specific Incidents

 

 

 

No specific incidents or actions have been clearly identified to justify a restriction of this magnitude. The absence of clearly defined conduct makes it difficult to understand the basis for such a broad exclusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature of Josh’s Conduct

 

 

 

Josh’s presence in the parks has been characterized by one-on-one, voluntary interactions focused on providing food, basic necessities, and support to individuals in need.

 

His interactions have been:

 

Calm and non-disruptive
Focused on one-on-one engagement
Centered on providing support, not creating gatherings or disturbances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respect for Individuals

 

 

 

Josh has consistently made it a priority to treat every individual with dignity and respect. This includes:

 

Asking for clear consent before filming or sharing anyone’s story
Respecting anyone who declines and not filming in those situations
Keeping interactions non-intrusive and respectful
Avoiding actions that would draw crowds or disrupt others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lack of Prior Notice

 

 

 

To our knowledge, Josh has not been approached by park staff or law enforcement with concerns about his behavior prior to the issuance of the ban.

 

He has always been open to feedback and willing to adjust his approach if any concerns were raised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scope of the Restriction

 

 

 

The scope of this restriction, which applies to all Saint Paul Parks and Recreation property, is unusually broad given that the concerns referenced appear to be tied to a limited area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment to the Community

 

 

 

Josh has demonstrated a consistent commitment to supporting individuals in need within the Saint Paul community. His efforts have focused on providing assistance in a respectful, voluntary, and non-disruptive manner.

 

He has also maintained cooperative and positive interactions with members of law enforcement, reflecting his willingness to operate responsibly within the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Request for Reconsideration

 

 

 

We respectfully ask Saint Paul Parks and Recreation to reconsider this decision and explore a path forward that allows Josh to continue his outreach in a way that aligns with park guidelines.

 

We believe that with clear communication and reasonable expectations, it is possible to maintain both the integrity of public spaces and the continuation of positive community support.

 

 

 

 

If you believe in supporting those in need and allowing positive outreach to continue, please sign and share this petition.

 

Every signature helps show that this work matters.