December 21, 2022

An open letter to the city of Des Moines, IA.

Southridge Mall (1111 E. Army Post Rd.)

Merle Hay Mall (3800 Merle Hay Rd.)

Central Library (1000 Grand Ave.)

East Side Library (2559 Hubbell Ave.)

Forest Ave. Library (1326 Forest Ave.)

Franklin Ave. Library (5000 Franklin Ave.)

North Side Library (3516 Fifth Ave.)

South Side Library (1111 Porter Ave.)

Listed above are warming stations where folks experiencing houslessness can seek heat this winter- but only during limited times. Not a single warming center listed in Des Moines or all of Polk County is open past 8pm or before 8am: the coldest part of the day. Community members demand more. Warming stations must be open 24/7 and be readily available in our city, or else there will be more blood on your hands than there already is.

As we prepare for the coming cold front, we still hold in our hearts our neighbor who froze to death in February 2021, outside of the Forest Ave Library. His body was discovered by a snowplow driver early on a Monday morning. He was presumably waiting until the heating center reopened; and he died waiting. We can’t close warming centers this winter, we can’t risk the wait, we can’t find any more of our neighbors dead from the cold. We demand that the city of Des Moines makes warmth reachable for ALL its residents.

In response to our demands, we predict the city will direct folks to CISS (Central Iowa Shelters & Services). And to that we say, “thank you, more please”. We understand CISS is not a feasible answer for all of our unhoused neighbors. We want more resources. We want immediate public housing for all. We want a safe space for people to go 24 hours a day. We need it now. Find the warmth in your hearts to provide for the houseless residents of Des Moines.

All power to the people.

Des Moines Mutual Aid 

Des Moines Black Liberation Movement