St. Paul, Minnesota — A member of the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education is facing growing criticism after a social media post about Christian cemeteries and a proposed dog park relocation sparked backlash online.
The comments were made during an ongoing debate over the future of Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park, a site that officials voted to permanently close because of its cultural and historical significance to the Dakota people.
The remarks have since circulated widely, prompting renewed scrutiny of the school board member’s public statements and previous legal issues.
Controversial Social Media Post Draws Criticism
The controversy centers on comments made by Chauntyll Allen, clerk of the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education, in a Facebook discussion about the future of the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park.
According to reports, Allen suggested relocating dog parks to Christian cemeteries instead of using land regarded as sacred by Indigenous communities.
The post stated:
“I don’t get why we don’t just make dog parks at White Christian cemeteries if White Christians are ok with it? This is a simple fix. Leave the indigenous land sacred and piss on the White corpses.”
The remarks quickly generated criticism on social media, with opponents arguing the comments were offensive and inappropriate for an elected public official.
As of now, no public statement responding to the backlash has been reported from Allen regarding the post.
Debate Centers on Sacred Indigenous Land
Allen’s comments came after the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board voted 8-1 to close the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park by the end of the year.
Officials said the decision was based on concerns surrounding the site’s cultural significance.
According to the park board, the dog park occupies part of the Mni Owe Sni (Coldwater Spring) Traditional Cultural Place, an area considered sacred by the Dakota people.
The location is also believed to contain unmarked graves connected to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, making preservation efforts an important factor in the board’s decision.
The closure has sparked debate among residents, with some supporting the preservation of culturally significant land while others have expressed disappointment over losing the popular off-leash recreation area.
Previous Legal Case Continues
The renewed attention also comes as Allen continues to face unrelated federal charges stemming from an incident earlier this year.
Authorities allege she participated in a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators entered the church during worship services as part of an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest.
According to court records, Allen is facing federal felony charges connected to that incident.
The criminal case remains pending, and the allegations have not been resolved in court.
Allen Previously Defended Protest Actions
Following the January protest, Allen publicly discussed the demonstration in media interviews.
Buc-ee’s is Expanding Again — 15 New Locations Are Coming Across the U.S.
She criticized ICE operations and expressed support for the protest, saying participants believed stronger action was necessary to draw attention to their concerns.
During one interview, Allen referenced her Christian upbringing while explaining her actions.
“I believe that’s what needed to be done to get the message across.”
She also said:
“I mean my mother’s a pastor and so I grew up in Christianity, I grew up in the church. And one of the things I remember about Jesus Christ himself is that when things weren’t going right in the church, he went in and he flipped tables.”
Public Attention Continues
The latest controversy has placed additional focus on Allen’s role as a public official while debate continues over the future of the former dog park and her ongoing legal case.
At this time, neither the St. Paul Public Schools Board of Education nor Allen has publicly announced any changes regarding her position following the recent criticism.
The social media controversy and the pending criminal case remain separate matters.
What are your thoughts on how public officials should handle controversial social media posts? Do you believe elected leaders should be held to a higher standard for public statements? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.