Blog Archives - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Drug Policy Coalition Forum - After Action Report - February, 2019

2/25/2019

Iowa Drug Policy Coalition Forum - After Action Report
St Ambrose University (SAU), Rogalski Center

Thanks to everyone who attended our first Drug Policy Iowa Public Forum. We were excited to welcome these amazing speakers:

Grant Tietjen, PhD SAU Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Kim Brown QC Harm Reduction
Aaron Schoeneman, AJP Former President Iowa NORML
Shelly Servadio, RN Iowa Registered Cannabis Nurse
Joe Bolkcom, Iowa State Senator

Topics ranged from research, decriminalization, the human cannabidiol system, the punitive impact Iowa laws have on on medical cannabis users and others, therapeutic dosing levels needed for effective treatment, opioids vs. cannabis for pain management, harm reduction, current legislation and of course advocacy.

Actions taken at the event:

Senator Bolkcom discussed and handed out information about his new cannabis-related bill soon to be introduced to the Iowa legislature.

Attendees completed postcards to their federal legislators regarding Senate and House Bills that advocate to remove cannabis (marijuana) from the Controlled Substances Act,

Attendees completed postcards to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to advocate for improved medical cannabis legislation to expand qualifying conditions, raise the 3% THC cap, cannabis decriminalization and overall harm reduction.

Channel 4 was there and filmed most of the event which resulted in a 3 minute report.

Stay tuned for our upcoming Illinois Public Forum at the Moline Library with Rev Alexander Sharp representing Clergy for a New Drug Policy, who will review and explain the new Illinois law which legalizes cannabis. Date/time to be determined.

Caroline Vernon

Drug Policy Forum - Monthly Meeting, February, 2019

2/25/2019

PACG Drug Policy February Meeting -
Tuesday, February 26th at 6:00 pm

Fresh Deli, Davenport Freight House, 421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA (map)

After learning so much from our great panel at our Iowa Public forum on February 16th, we are empowered to take our advocacy to the next level in Iowa. Iowans, please send your legislators a note by completing a post card:

To Senators Grassley & Ernst
To Congressman Loebsack
To Governor Reynolds

We will also discuss developments of our upcoming Illinois Public forum on Cannabis Legalization. Rev Sharp with Clergy for a New Drug Policy will explain the new legislation and answer important questions.

If you are a cannabis advocate, we hope you will join us!

Caroline Vernon

What You Can Do Now - Gun Sense, February, 2019

2/25/2019

Contact Your Legislators About Gun Sense in Proposed Iowa Law
Quad City Area and Beyond

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Moms is putting out a plea for everyone interested in gun sense in Iowa to please contact their State Representative and Senator. Please let them know you are opposed to the "strict language" in the proposed change in Iowa Law. Also, let them know your feeling about the open carry on school grounds.

Attend the County Legislative Forum - February 23, 2019

2/18/2019

Scott County Legislative Forum - Saturday, February 23rd 10:00 am

Kahler Auditorium, Central High School
1120 N. Main St, Davenport, IA (map)
Indivisible Iowa

Iowa residents - come to express concerns to your legislators at this question and answer session. Social is from 10:00 to 10:30 am. The Forum starts at 10:30 am and lasts until noon.

PACG may do an Out & About event to have breakfast together first, and then go to this important gathering. Stand by for details!

MoveOn President's Day Protest, February 18, 2019

2/17/2019

Attend the MoveOn Presidents' Day Protest - Monday, February 18th at 7:00 pm

Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities (MCCQC)
2930 Locust St, Davenport IA (map)

PACG will mobilize with other community activists and attend MoveOn's nation-wide event. This will be a non-violent rapid-response, as we stand up to defend our democracy, and immigrant, Muslim, black and brown communities from Donald Trump's dangerous (fake) national emergency power grab. This #FakeNationalEmergency is an illegal attempt to push his racist, dangerous policies.

We're participating in the event organized by numerous groups at 7:00 pm on Presidents Day. For more details or to RSVP click here.

Environmental Forum Goals for 2019

2/12/2019

Environmental Forum 2019 Goals

Monthly Planning Meetings
First Mondays from 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Cobblestone Place
1212 W 3rd St
Davenport, IA (map)

We have identified our Goals for 2019 and they include the following events:

Green Drinks - Last Thursdays of the month through August, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Fresh Deli at the Freight House
421 W River DR, Davenport (map)

Beginning in March the PACG Environmental Forum will host a last-Thursday-of-the-month networking opportunity at Fresh Deli at the Freight House. This fun event is a must for anyone interested in protecting the environment! There is more information at the Green Drinks Quad Cities Facebook page.

Earth Day Events - Saturday, April 20th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
the Freight House
421 W River DR, Davenport (map)

PACG is partnering with the Farmer's Market on this outdoor celebration. Other groups are also participating. Our theme this year is Reducing Single Use Plastics, although there will be information and fun activities about so much more. Various speakers and displays will be on hand.

On Wednesday, April 17th, the yearly Earth Day Celebration, St Ambrose University will have a screening of "From Paris to Pittsburg," an important movie on Climate Change. This will be shown at the Rogalski Center from 7 to 9 pm.

In addition, these are ongoing issues we are working on:

Meeting with Iowa and Illinois state legislatures and federal representatives. We will listen and share our concerns about environmental issues.
Expanding our networking to local colleges, specifically their environmental groups, professors teaching courses in environmental science, and administrative staff who control the college's energy systems.

Join us for Green Drinks!

2/6/2019

PACG Presents GREEN DRINKS Quad Cities

Thursday, February 28th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Fresh Deli
421 W River Dr
Davenport (map)

Get together with like minded people to talk about issues involving the environment. Come to network, socialize, and great discussions all while having drinks!

We will meet the last Thursday of the month from 5:00 - 7:00pm.

2019 Earth Day Event

2/5/2019

2019 Earth Day Celebration

Join the Environmental Forum as we celebrate Earth Day in partnership with Freight House Farmers Market.
Saturday, April 20th 9:00am - 1:00pm at Freight House Farmers Market

Freight House Farmers Market is rolling out their new policy of eliminating single use plastics. We will have a full day of speakers, presentations, and activities with a different focus every hour. Stay tuned for the Speakers list.

Schedule
9:00am - 10:00am Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose/Save Energy
10:00am - 11:00am Pollution And Your Family's Health
11:00am - 12:00pm Climate Change And The Planet
12:00pm - 1:00pm Species Protection

If you are interested in having a table at this event please Contact Our Office Manager

Join our Facebook Page

Green New Deal Demonstrates Real Climate Leadership

2/4/2019

Green New Deal Week - Monday, Feb 4th - Friday, Feb 8th

Friends of the Earth
Nationwide Event

From February 4th to 8th, help bring the call for Real Climate Leadership to your Congressperson’s doorstep. We will ramp up our call for a Green New Deal by calling on our Representatives to:

Halt all new fossil fuel extraction, infrastructure and subsidies, and transition power generation to 100% renewable energy by 2035 or sooner.
Rapidly decarbonize agriculture and transportation sectors and expand access to public transportation.
Ensure a Fair & Just Transition led by impacted workers and communities, including low income and communities of color, without relying on corporate schemes or market-based mechanisms.
Uphold Indigenous Rights
Pass a national jobs guarantee, creating good jobs with collective bargaining and family-sustaining wages.

Immigration Meetings for February 2019

2/3/2019

Immigration Meetings for February 2019

The PACG Civil Rights Forum is working on its own and in coalition with other community organizations on Immigration. Consider coming to one of these upcoming meetings on Immigration issues:

One Human Family Immigration Task Force - Wednesday, Feb 6th at 1:30 pm
Chancery of the Catholic Diocese of Davenport
780 W Central Park, Davenport (map)
Contact Sister Nancy Miller with questions.

QC Sanctuary Coalition - Saturday, Feb 9th from 10am - noon
the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Mary Monastery
2200 88th Ave, Rock Island (map)
Contact John Dunsheath with questions.

Quad Cities Interfaith - Tuesday, Feb 19th at 6:30 pm
Monthly Task Force Assembly
Church of Peace, 1114 12th St, Rock Island (map)
Contact Aaron Wagner with questions.

Alta Price