PRESS RELEASE: “Justice for Josh”
Joshua Guimond disappeared at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, in 2002. November 7, 2009 is the inaugural “Justice for Josh” march, starting at noon.
St. John’s recently denied a request by the Guimond family to mark the anniversary with an on-campus walk to raise awareness, claiming such an event “would not be productive.”
The seven-year anniversary of Joshua’s disappearance is November 10. Supporters will meet near St. John’s University at noon, followed by a march at the Stearns County Sheriff’s office at 2 p.m.
Several facts and new information regarding Joshua’s disappearance will be made public during the event.
Background
On November 9, 2002, 20-year-old Joshua Guimond left a small card party at a friend’s apartment on the St. John’s University campus in Collegeville, Minn., around midnight. His friends believed he was just making a trip to the bathroom, but when he did not return after 15 minutes, they assumed he had just walked back to his dorm room. He has not been seen since.
Joshua did not have his glasses or contact lenses, his car, credit cards, or even a coat that was appropriate for the weather. Nothing was missing from his dorm room. His parents remain convinced that he was taken against his will.
Justice for Josh March
Joshua Guimond’s family, along with supporters, advocates, and other victims of campus crime are flying in from around the country and uniting to remember Joshua. A petition will be presented to the Stearns County sheriff demanding accountability.
St. John’s University recently denied a request by the family to begin the Justice for Josh march on campus at the site where Joshua was last seen. According to Director of Life Safety Services Shawn Vierzba, such a march “would not be productive, and speculation and conjecture likely generated by such a march could in the end be more harmful to the efforts to find Josh.”
According to Joshua’s father, Brian Guimond, “One of several new facts regarding Joshua’s disappearance that we need to explore involves 11 known sex offenders who resided on campus when Joshua disappeared. If that is the case, we may never know the truth. The University and Abbey have a long history of withholding information from the public and law enforcement authorities.”
The actual number of sexual victims would appear to be 100-plus. The public needs to be aware of this.
The march will continue at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department, where organizers will demand that law enforcement agencies release all information regarding Joshua’s disappearance and that St. John’s immediately release the names of all personnel who have had credible sexual assault allegations made against them.
A dinner and prayer service will follow. Copies of the full schedule and applicable documents will be made available online and on the day of the march.
Bob Guimond
Email: bobg1123@yahoo.com
Phone: 507-530-4399
More information: http://www.findjoshua.com
Schedule of “Justice for Josh” March
November 7, 2009
March to start at 12 noon at St. John’s University and continue until 1 p.m.
Travel to Stearns County Sheriff’s Office (705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303) 1 to 1:30 p.m.
March 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., then proceed to the Moose Lodge (1300 3rd St N Waite Park, MN 56387) for a meal.
Serving starts approximately 3 to 3:30 p.m.
After lunch at the Moose Lodge, participants who choose to will go to Maple Lake, Minn., for a prayer service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (5460 63rd St NW, Maple Lake, MN 55358).
The prayer service starts at 6 p.m.
Approximate drive time to Maple Lake is 40 minutes.
Directions for “Justice for Josh” March
From I-94, turn south at Exit 156 to St. Johns University (County Road 159).
Click on link to get map: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/9-*hW8
The star on the map near the junction of County Road 159 and Fruit Farm Road is the gathering point for the march. Someone will be present just off I-94 to give directions on where to gather.
The start time is 12 noon on Saturday, November 7.
PRESS RELEASE: “Justice for Josh”
October 29, 2009