Saskatoon Woman Cleans Downtown Benches in Peaceful Protest, Inspires Community

Frustrated by the city's proposal to remove downtown benches to combat social disorder, Saskatoon resident Lillith Rose launched a hands-on protest by cleaning the benches herself. The Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District had suggested removing 25 benches to reduce "hot spots" associated with safety concerns, vandalism, and people using them for shelter.

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I've actually already had people on the street come and tell me, thank you, this is where I sleep. I feel much safer sleeping here now.

The proposal ignited debate among city council members and residents online. While some supported the removal as a means to improve the area, others argued it failed to address the root problems. Rose, angered by the idea, felt the city should focus on supporting vulnerable populations instead. Inspired by her parents' words that a single action can spark change, she decided to act.

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The number one reason I’m doing this is because I actually used to be homeless myself... And these benches, they used to be my bed, too. They matter to me a lot because when I see benches, I see myself, I see my family.

"I've actually already had people on the street come and tell me, thank you, this is where I sleep. I feel much safer sleeping here now," Rose shared, highlighting the immediate impact of her efforts. Her motivation stems from personal experience; she revealed, "The number one reason I’m doing this is because I actually used to be homeless myself... And these benches, they used to be my bed, too. They matter to me a lot because when I see benches, I see myself, I see my family."

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I’ve literally been crying for days because every morning I wake up to … hundreds of messages from people just like loving and supporting what I’m doing and all of that is what keeps me going, honestly.

Rose's solo effort quickly snowballed into a community movement after she posted photos online. She has since been inundated with supportive messages and offers of help. "I’ve literally been crying for days because every morning I wake up to … hundreds of messages from people just like loving and supporting what I’m doing and all of that is what keeps me going, honestly," she said. Joined by other volunteers, Rose and her team now collect garbage, clean benches, and remove graffiti, aiming to create a cleaner, more harmonious city. The city council has deferred the decision on the benches until September 2027.

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With more people and more help, I know that we can make this city a really, really clean and beautiful place for everyone and we can live in harmony.