PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good - Blog

Changing Systems, Changing Ourselves Webinar - Civil Rights Forum

1/15/2020

Changing Systems, Changing Ourselves Webinar -
Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm

At home or at
the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities
3704 Eastern Av, Davenport (map)

Civil Rights Forum

The PACG Civil Rights Forum invites you to sign up for a five-session monthly online series on immigration and race sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, Church World Service, Freedom for Immigrants, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The sessions are the fourth Tuesday of the month, usually from 7 - 8:30 pm central time.

Although you can sign up as an individual, there may be a group showing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation to facilitate discussion after the webinars. Contact John Dunsheath if you are interested in a group viewing.

The January 28th session explores "anti-racist practice, to reflect on how to show up consciously to work alongside those most impacted by injustice, with caucus groups for people of color and white people."

For more information and to register, sign up at the American Friends Service Committee website.

Alta Price
PACG Civil Rights Forum Co-Facilitator

Paris to Pittsburgh Screening at Augustana College

1/15/2020

Paris to Pittsburgh Screening -
Wednesday, January 15th at 6:00 pm

Due to technical difficulties, our showing of Paris to Pittsburgh tonight at Augustana College has moved next door to Olin Hall: Hanson Science Bldg Room 102. Same time. Thanks for your patience.

Augustana College
Olin Auditorium
820 38th St, Rock Island (map)

Environmental Forum

If you haven't seen it already, come see the movie Paris to Pittsburgh at Augustana College - Olin Auditorium on Wednesday, January 15th from 6-8 pm. This 2018 documentary about climate change is directed by filmmakers Sidney Beaumont and Michael Bonfiglio and is produced by Bloomberg Philanthropies, National Geographic, and RadicalMedia. The screening will be followed by a panel presentation by local environmental experts Ray Wolf, Eric Sorensen, and Bobby Wengronowicz.

Lori McCollum

Next Iowa Nonpartisan Caucus Training - January 15th

1/9/2020

PACG Caucus Training - Wednesday, January 15th 5 - 7 pm

Eastern Avenue Branch of Davenport Library
6000 Eastern AV. Davenport (map)

PACG Nonpartisan Caucus Training

This training is designed for Iowans who'd like to be more familiar with the caucus process. Both Republican and Democratic caucus styles will be presented. Instead of candidate names, we will be demonstrating using food preferences. This is fun and informative and open to everyone.

NOTE: Caucus training is NOT mandatory to participate in the caucuses. This training is for individuals who'd like to understand more about what will happen in Iowa on Monday, Feb. 3rd.

Julie Ross

Green Drinks for January

1/9/2020

Green Drinks - Tuesday, January 7th at 5:00 pm

2232 18th Street, Rock Island, IL (map)

Environmental Forum

Our first Green Drinks of the year will be on Tuesday, Jan 7th at Huckleberry's in Rock Island from 5 pm to 7 pm. Sarah Gardner from the QC Regional Bi-Sate Commission will share with us information on Electric Vehicles.

Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones will host our monthly meetings at the same time of 5-7 pm on the first Tuesday of every month.

Join with other like-minded people in the area to discuss issues involving the environment. Come to network, socialize, and learn, all while having drinks!

Message from the President About the New Year

1/9/2020

Happy New Year Progressives!

Message from the President

This is going to be a very active year for PACG!

A few things to look forward to is our involvement with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and a 15th anniversary celebration for PACG!

And, of course, we have a national election, which is a great time to participate in our democracy as Americans.

I am looking forward to a great and progressive 2020 with you all!

Allison

What You Can Do Now - Call Your Senators About Impeachement

1/3/2020

Call Your Senators About the Impeachment Inquiry

A Message from the President

Considering the turmoil facing our democracy at this confusing time, we encourage all PACG members to call the offices of their US Senators daily to voice their opinions about the President being impeached and the next steps in the Senate. Which witnesses and documents do you think should be compelled to ensure a fair Senate trial? If you are unsure of these peoples' names, you can tell your Senator that you don't want witnesses and documents blocked.

Tell your friends and voting-age family members to contact their Senators as well..

This is very simple but has enormous impact. Each call takes one or two minutes. You either speak to a staffer or leave a message. State your name, address and your message. Be brief, respectful and stay on point. It's also a good idea to thank the staffer - if you speak to one - for doing their job during this stressful time. If your Senator is pursuing this situation to your satisfaction, tell them you are grateful for their diligence and hard work. If they are not, give them input.

Iowa Senators
Chuck Grassley - Davenport Office: 563-322-4331
WA DC Office: 202-224-3744

Joni Ernst - Davenport Office: 563-322-0677
WA DC Office: 202-224-3254

Illinois Senators
Dick Durbin - Rock Island: 309-786-5173
WA DC Office: 202-224-2152

Tammy Duckworth - Rock Island: 309-606-7060
WA DC Office: 202-224-2854

Your voice matters between elections - make it heard. Take 4 minutes out of your day to help make the change that you want to see. Put these numbers in your phone's Contacts and call daily. You will feel empowered.

Allison Ambrose

Climate Crisis Parade - Saturday, February 1st in Des Moines

1/1/2020

Climate Crisis Parade - Saturday, February 1st at 12:00 pm

Cowles Commons
221 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA (map)

Bold Iowa

The Iowa Coalition is planning a major climate action before the Caucuses.

Please note: We need a firm number of attendees for the organization chartering the bus by January 3rd.

Over forty organizations have come together to take collective climate action on Saturday, February 1st at noon in Des Moines just before the Iowa Caucuses. If you are interested in attending this event, there will be a bus leaving from Iowa City, early that morning and returning later that same day. It will cost only $12 round trip. We are also considering a local caravan and carpool. Contact Lori McCollum if you are interested.

The Climate Crisis Parade is only two days before the Iowa Caucuses in order to challenge voters and the media to act with urgency on behalf of our climate. This event marks the first time these local, state, and national groups have worked together to spotlight the urgent need for all to act on climate. Participants will gather at Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut Street, in Des Moines and parade to the Iowa Events Center, where media from around the world will assemble to report on the Iowa Caucuses. The action is non-partisan and not organized in support of any presidential candidate. You can learn more about the event by contacting the Steering Committee at communications@climatemarch.org.

Contacts are Samantha Kuhn at 847-682-2924 and Steve Shivvers at 515-468-3923.

Lori McCollum

Message to Members from Civil Rights Forum Regarding Recent Events in Bettendorf

12/17/2019

Message to Our Members from the Civil Rights Forum

Civil Rights Forum

The anti-immigration rally at the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf and the subsequent protests have contributed to polarization in our community. We want to use Restorative Justice practices to bring people together and promote healing.

These events present the Civil Rights Forum with an opportunity to begin dialogue with local and national decision-makers who need to hear our message promoting fair treatment of refugees and immigrants, and decreasing racial profiling in the Quad Cities.

We plan to use Restorative Justice Peace Circles to open a dialogue on immigration between community members with different viewpoints.
We will try to meet with Bobby Schilling and Marionnette Miller-Meeks about the crisis on the southern border. Both are Republican candidates for Congress and both attended the anti-immigration rally at the church.
We want to approach the City of Bettendorf about the problems with racial profiling in Bettendorf. Bringing Nick Fuentes (an avowed white nationalist) to speak in Bettendorf, and the recent distribution of hate flyers, make addressing the issue of racial profiling more urgent.

Contact Margie Mejia-Caraballo or Alta to get more involved.

Alta Price

PACG Holiday Party - After Action Report

12/14/2019

PACG Holiday Party Was A Great Success! - After Action Report
Friday, December 6th at 5:30 pm

German American Heritage Center
712 W 2nd St, Davenport

Thank you to all of the seventy plus people who attended PACG's Annual Holiday Party. We had a great group of people sharing great conversation and fantastic food provided by Maria Lopez.

We also presented the Dick Fallow Social Justice Endowment Grant to Project Renew, an extremely worthy local organization that Dick would have loved. We feel very fortunate to be part of such a fine community.

There are lots more photographs of the event on PACG's Facebook page: facebook.com/PACG-holidayimages.

Thanks again to the PACG Holiday Party Committee - especially to Ann McCluskey - for all the hard work!

Julie Ross

Green Drinks - After Action Report

12/14/2019

Green Drinks - After Action Report
Monday, December 2nd at 5:00 pm

Huckleberry's, Rock Island

Environmental

Green Drinks met in November with a presentation from Lori McCollum about the climate crisis that included a slide presentation from the Climate Reality Training she attended last summer. This presentation is available to any group or organization upon request.

Amy Kay, from the Public Works Department in Davenport discussed their sustainability projects. It was very interesting, and will hopefully lead to collaboration and expansion of their sustainability projects.

The December meeting kicked off our new day and location. We will be meeting in 2020 at Huckleberries in Rock Island on the first Tuesday of each month from 5-7 pm in their overflow room. This allows a quieter and larger space for speakers and networking. Upcoming speakers include: January - Sarah Gardner from BiState Regional Planning on Electric Vehicles; February - Deb Heitman from the Davenport Schools on their Green Ribbon Award; and March - Pete Vogel from QC Food Rescue to discuss their work to reduce food waste and help those who are food insecure. We hope to see you all there.

Lori McCollum