Category: Civil Rights Forum - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Honoring the 108th Colored Troops After Action Report

7/1/2026

Honoring the 108th Colored Troops After Action Report

Civil Rights Forum

PACG President David Anderson and LTC Adhana McCarthy
at the Rock Island National Cemetery

On Juneteenth (June 19th, 2026), members of the PACG community participated in a celebration and remembrance of the 108th United States Colored Infantry Regiment that guarded Confederate prisoners at Rock Island Arsenal during the Civil War. The keynote address was given by LTC Adhana J. McCarthy MPAS, PA-C United States Army Medical Specialist. Other speakers gave the audience background and connections to families currently living in the Quad Cities. The ceremony concluded by laying flowers at the graves of soldiers of the 108th buried in Rock Island National Cemetery.

David Anderson (he/him)

6th Anniversary of Racial Equality rally-After Action Report

6/14/2026

6th Anniversary of Racial Equality rally After Action Report

Civil Rights Forum

Over 20 people gathered to stand up for Racial Equality on the 6th Anniversary of the rally started by Glenda Guster and me on June 13, 2020 after George Floyd was murdered. We were greeted by thumbs up and honks from passersby which I believe indicates that most people want to keep the conversation going.

Read the WVIK/NPR report about this rally here. And listen to the WQAD interview of Glenda and Cayrn here.

We and a band of regulars plan to keep the rally going every Saturday from noon to 12:30 until racial equality is achieved in our country!

Caryn Unsicker (she/her)

6th Anniversary of Racial Equality Rally-PACG Event

6/3/2026

6th Anniversary of Racial Equality Rally
Saturday, June 13th at noon

Southwest corner of
John Deere RD and 16th ST
Moline, IL (map)

Civil Rights Forum

Come join us to support 6 years of standing up weekly for Racial Equality and justice in our country! We started after George Floyd was murdered in 2020, and we're not giving up until racism is no longer an active threat to black people and all people of color in America! We have extra signs and we get lots of positive honks and waves from passersby! Read our news release and see more photos over the years below.

Caryn Unsicker (she/her)

PACG Weekly Racial Equality Rally marks 6th Anniversary!

(Moline, IL) - Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) announces the 6th Anniversary of the Racial Equality Rally in Moline. In the six years since George Floyd, an African American, was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, there seems to have been little progress in our country toward preventing these tragedies or in improving racial relations through community policing. In Rock Island, young Jakarta Jackson was killed last year by a white officer. Many think that the situation could have been handled differently, and that his death was preventable.

Since June 13, 2020, two local women, Caryn Unsicker and Glenda Guster, have been bringing attention to this issue every Saturday by holding up "Black Lives Matter" and "Honk for Racial Equality" signs from noon to 12:30 pm on the corner of John Deere Rd. and 16th Street across from Southpark Mall. They have enlisted PACG members and others to join them in holding ongoing rallies to honor George Floyd and the many other victims of color before (and since) his murder. Unsicker says she knew back in 2020 that the issue would fade once the press moved on to cover other news, so she called Guster and they agreed to keep the issue alive indefinitely as long as racial inequality was a reality in our country.

Unsicker states that, despite an occasional detractor, the large number of honks and thumbs up they get each week from passersby of all races is encouraging. "That's what keeps us going," she says. "This tells us that most people want to keep the conversation about racial equality alive and active, and that many people acknowledge that we need solutions so we can heal as a nation - even in these times of deep division." They invite anyone to join in the effort! "We have extra signs and all are welcome," says Unsicker. She said they have had people from all walks of life join them occasionally in recent months.

Because June 13th falls on a Saturday this year, they will celebrate on the actual date they started the rally six years ago. Please join them that day between noon and 12:30 pm across from Southpark Mall to take a stand on this critical issue!

As progressives, PACG empowers people to take action for positive change and social justice by coordinating a network of community forums and events aimed at educating and engaging citizens to work for the common good of all. Our core values are Social Justice, Empowerment, Diversity, Sustainability and Community.

For more information about this event, please visit the Progressive Action for the Common Good website at http://www.pacgqc.org or contact Caryn Unsicker via email at
[email protected].

Juneteenth Festival 2026-Of Interest to Our Community

6/3/2026

Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 20th from 11 am to 4 pm

W 2nd ST between Brady and Harrison
Davenport, IA (map)

Civil Rights Forum

The Civil Rights Forum encourages you to attend the 2026 Juneteenth Festival sponsored by the Friends of MLK and TMBC Lincoln Resource Center. The event has been moved to downtown so there is more room for the celebration. R ead more at this Facebook post.

Allison Ambrose

QC IMBY Giveaway

5/27/2026

QC IMBY - It's giveaway time!
Vote by Friday, May 29th

Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities

QC In My Back Yard is celebrating the amazing immigrant-owned businesses that help make our community stronger, more diverse, and full of incredible food! You need to have a Facebook account to participate.

We’re giving away THREE $25 gift certificates to some amazing local immigrant-owned restaurants:
Eddy's Snack Bar
Restaurante Sabor Catracho
Nally's Kitchen, Inc.

THREE winners will each receive ONE $25 gift certificate!

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Like & Share this Facebook post.
2. Tag a friend in the comments.
3. Follow this page.
(You must complete all 3 to be entered!)

Winners will be randomly drawn on Friday, May 29th. Make sure you’re following our page so you don’t miss future spotlights, stories, and giveaways highlighting the positive impact immigrants make in our community every day.

Allison Ambrose

Quotes from immigrants in 1840s Iowa-Immigration Coalition QC

5/3/2026

Excerpts from The Goldfinch

Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities

The Goldfinch: Iowa History for Young People was a magazine published four times a year between 1975 and 2000 by the Iowa Historical Society. The November, 1981 edition, edited by Margaret Atherton Bonney, focused on immigrants, particularly in Iowa. Her edition includes quotes from actual immigrants in Iowa.

QCIMBY (Quad Cities In My Back Yard) will be sharing interesting things from this edition in a series of posts. For example, in 1848, a Dutch immigrant in Pella, wrote to his father, “…if we remain healthy, within a few years we can start on our own farm, which would never have become a reality in Vriesland (province in the Netherlands). …there is not one person who, by moving to America, does not earn more than a common laborer over there.”

Sign up for the Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities Substack here.

Allison Ambrose

An Immigrant Story - Of Interest to Our Community

4/17/2026

An Immigrant Story

Immigration Coalition of the Quad Cities

Yen's story is the first in a series of stories about local immigrants that will be appearing on the QCIMBY (Quad Cities In My Back Yard) Facebook page. These stories are also available in the Immigration Coalition QC Substack email. Please subscribe here.

Yen Dao immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at age 7 with her mom and four older siblings to join Yen's father, who worked multiple jobs to bring them to their new home. “My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education,” said Yen, now 41 and thriving in her education career and volunteerism in the Quad Cities.
Name: Yen Dao

Age: 41
Family: I have a son, four siblings and their children, and my dad. My mother passed away five years ago.

Residence: Bettendorf
Native country: Vietnam
Occupation/Volunteer or School: High School Staff Member

When did you immigrate to the United States? 1992

What motivated your decision to immigrate? My parents wanted us to have a chance at freedom and education. Since I was seven, I didn’t have a say in whether I wanted to go.

Who accompanied you when you immigrated to the U.S.? My mom and four older siblings accompanied me to the US. My dad was already in the US working multiple jobs to save enough money to bring us over.

Why did you choose the Quad Cities area for your new home? We landed in Des Moines first. I moved to the Quad Cities because my sister was already here.

What language or languages did you speak when you arrived in the U.S.? Vietnamese

If English is not your first language, how did you become more familiar with English? I learned English while I was in school. The fact that I had to use English all the time helped me become more familiar with it.

How were you treated when you first arrived in the Quad Cities area? I didn’t notice how I was treated when I first arrived to the QC. However, there was a large gathering at the airport when I arrived in Des Moines to welcome my family to the US. I definitely felt out of place and an outsider while at school because I didn’t know the language.

How did get more involved in life in the Quad Cities area? I became more involved and met more people by joining the Quad Cities Tennis Meetup group over 13 years ago. Shortly after I joined, the organizer moved and needed someone to take over the role. I have been the organizer for QC Tennis Meetup ever since. Later, I joined the Quad Cities Pickleball Club and became involved with running leagues and tournaments. I also participate in neighborhood gatherings to meet more people around me.

What work, volunteer activities, children’s activities and/or hobbies keep you engaged? I work at a high school to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Outside of work, I stay involved with the tennis and pickleball community. My interest in gardening has helped me meet many neighbors as they walk by my property.

What gives you the most joy? I love working in my garden! I’m constantly working on my garden and look forward to seeing new growth.

What challenges have you navigated as an immigrant? Language barrier was the most difficult part to navigate as an immigrant. This affected my ability to make friends and perform well in school. When I was at home, my parents expected me to speak Vietnamese so I wouldn’t forget it. I wasn’t allowed to speak English. It made the process to learn English a little slower at first. I’m grateful that my parents insisted I speak Vietnamese only because I do retain most of it compared to my peers.

Who are your mentors, the people you admire most? I admire my parents the most. My parents showed me the value of hard work, perseverance, and honesty. My mother had a 9th grade education and raised her five children on her own while my dad worked in the US to bring all of us over. With limited English, they were still able to provide us with what we needed by working multiple jobs, saving money, and teaching us valuable lessons. I can attribute my love for gardening from my dad, who is a master gardener.

What gives you hope? I think people in general are good and kind to others. I see this every day with the teachers, counselors, admins and neighbors I interact with.

What is your favorite quote, motto or religious verse? Treat others the way they want to be treated.

Allison Ambrose

ACLU Illinois and Indivisible Power to the People: Quad Cities, January 13, 2026

12/20/2025

Power to the People: Quad Cities
Tuesday, January 13 at 6 - 8 pm

Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council - East Moline
424 Carpenter Ct
East Moline, IL (map)

Illinois ACLU, Indivisible QC, and other organizations

The Civil Rights and Gender Equity forums of PACG urge everyone to attend this event!

Please join the ACLU of Illinois, Indivisible Quad Cities, Indivisible Illinois, Clock Inc, NAACP Rock Island County Branch, Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrant and Refugees (QCAIR), and the Quad Cities Alliance for Retired Americans for a community town hall on what the ACLU, Indivisible, and our partners are doing in response to the federal abuse of power and what role you can play in the fight ahead.

The event is designed to allow supporters to gather to express concerns about the Administration’s effort to wield all federal power without checks and balances of Congress or the courts – and the harm that the reckless and lawless policies are having on our communities. The program will include an update on the nationwide civil liberties landscape, highlight state and local responses, and explore the role we can each play in our communities in the fight ahead. And, you’ll have a chance to talk with others who share your concerns about the pivotal moment our country is in.

Light refreshments will be provided. We hope you can join us!

The event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated! Go to this site to register.

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].

There is an attached flyer for your use at the end of this post.

Alta Price (she/her)

pttp_quad_cities_flyer.pdf
File Size:	14764 kb
File Type:	pdf

Facing the Elder Care Crisis After Action Report

11/25/2025

Facing the Elder Care Crisis - After Action Report

Eastern Avenue Davenport Public Library

Quad Cities Civic Conversations

On November 13th, PACG, in coalition with other organizations, co-sponsored the 3rd Quad Cities Civic Conversations event, which focused on elder care. Three expert panelists spoke on various issues facing seniors as they seek care later in life, including the importance of quality, affordable elder care, current challenges to obtaining affordable care, and the lack of funding. Panelists came from Iowa Citizens Action Network, the Hale Group, Progress Iowa and LivWell Seniors. The audience was very engaged and a robust Q&A wrapped up the event.

Allison Ambrose

Defending the Rule of Law After Action Report

8/14/2025

The Importance of Defending the Rule of Law Luncheon - After Action Report

Fifty-nine people attended the Importance of Defending the Rule of Law luncheon event at WIU's Riverfront Hall on Friday, August 8th, to hear Professor Sally Frank, Drake University Law School, explain in layman's terms how our rule of law is under attack and why it is important to recognize this and do what we can now to preserve our Democracy. Attendees asked many pertinent questions afterwards.

This event was part of the Quad Cities Civic Conversations series initiated by One Human Family and co-sponsored by Progressive Action for the Common Good, Iowa Citizen Action Network, and Quad Cities Interfaith. There will be pertinent events every three months, so watch for them in this Progressive Action Update and elsewhere.

Caryn Unsicker (she/her)