Protesters in Davenport gave the city council a piece of their minds at the first council meeting since the deadly apartment collapse back on May 28th.
They’re also calling for the mayor’s resignation.
Protesters are demanding answers from city leaders after three people lost their lives and another fifty or so lost their homes in the collapse a week and a half ago.
They gathered in the streets outside, and packed council chambers Wednesday evening.
Council voted on displacement assistance dollars, and a report by the Quad City Times confirms the council has agreed to use up to $600,000 in American Rescue Plan dollars that were originally meant for the city’s transitional housing fund.
One alderman questioned whether that’s enough and suggested using dollars earmarked for Davenport’s “adventure play and experience zone” that’s in the works near the skybridge.
Those comments were met by applause from the crowd, but it didn’t pass.
Dozens of people took to the podium once the floor was opened up for public comment, criticizing the city’s response and indicated leaders had lost the public’s trust.
Another lawsuit was also filed Wednesday in the aftermath of the Davenport building collapse.
The woman who had to have her leg amputated at the scene is now suing the city and building owner.
Quanishia “Peach” Berry was trapped in the rubble for hours before that.
Her wife Lexus was left standing on a beam when their fourth-floor apartment crumbled to the ground.
“And all that we want is just accountability to be able to have closure, and to know why this happened, and to be able to move forward with our lives,” Lexus Barry said at a press conference Wednesday. “We definitely, most importantly want you guys to know that we are not victims to the situation. We are survivors.”
The Barry’s suit is one of at least four filed against the city and building owner so far, and more are expected as we move ahead.
“Within weeks of this building crumbling they were advised by engineers they were at imminent risk of crumbling. Imminent risk. What would any reasonable person do when a buildings at imminent risk of crumbling? They would wanna save lives, get the people out of that building, say ‘you are at risk, if you wanna live here, you’re risking your life,'” Attorney Steven Hart said.
Also on Wednesday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for federal assistance in Davenport.
