Petition to the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, Lakeland City Commission, and Mayor: Request for the Call for Removal of LDDA Executive Director Julie Townsend

To:
Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, Mayor Bill Mutz, and the Lakeland City Commission
Lakeland City Hall
228 S Massachusetts Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801LAKELAND REALTORS®+1Patch+1

Subject: Petition for the Call for Removal of Julie Townsend, Executive Director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority 

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Lakeland, Florida, hereby submit this petition requesting the immediate call for removal of Julie Townsend from her position as Executive Director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA).  

Background:

On May 17, 2025, conservative media personality Kaitlin Bennett attended the Downtown Lakeland Farmers Market to conduct interviews with attendees. Shortly after her arrival, Ms. Bennett was approached by Julie Townsend, who requested that she relocate to avoid obstructing foot traffic and disrupting vendors. Ms. Bennett complied and moved to a less congested area.DailyRidge.com - Fast-Factual-Free

Despite her compliance, further complaints were reportedly filed by vendors and attendees concerning the nature of Ms. Bennett's interviews. Subsequently, officers from the Lakeland Police Department issued a trespass warning to Ms. Bennett, effectively barring her from the event space. 

Concerns:

Violation of First Amendment Rights: The actions taken against Ms. Bennett raise serious concerns regarding the infringement of her First Amendment rights. The suppression of her activities, which involved conducting interviews in a public space, sets a troubling precedent for the treatment of individuals based on their political beliefs.
Abuse of Authority: Ms. Townsend's decision to involve law enforcement, leading to the issuance of a trespass warning against Ms. Bennett, appears to be an overreach of her authority. This action not only escalated the situation unnecessarily but also contributed to the suppression of lawful expression.
Negative Impact on Community Trust: Such incidents erode public trust in local governance and the impartiality of public spaces. The perception that individuals may be targeted or removed based on their viewpoints undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity that our community values.

Request:

In light of the above concerns, we respectfully request that the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, Lakeland City Commission and Mayor Bill Mutz take immediate action to call for the resignation and/or removal of Julie Townsend from her position as Executive Director of the LDDA. We believe that new leadership is necessary to restore public confidence and ensure that all individuals feel welcome and free to express themselves in our city's public spaces.

 
Note: For those interested in viewing the incident in question, footage is available here: https://youtu.be/8_9Gz8jT-Xo?si=xz7W3QyKKOkzXRIl