Category: PACG Action - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Hands Off rally has huge turnout - After Action Report

4/5/2025

Hands Off! An estimated 2000 Quad Cities activists fight back

Mass Mobilization on Saturday, April 5th

PACG joined thousands of protesters at the "Hands Off!" Rally at Friends of MLK Park and Interpretive Center in Davenport, IA, on Saturday April 5th from 11 am to 1:00 pm. This is one of many such events held across the country opposing the actions taken by the president and his staff on human rights, employment, civil rights, immigration, education, the environment, and many other issues that affect the daily lives of all Americans. On this chilly morning, concerned citizens with signs and voices filled the park to listen to speakers and to rally the traffic on both sides of Brady Street from the bottom of the hill to the top. Cars driving by honked their support of the event. We are making an impact!

Twelve hundred rallies were organized by Indivisible and other groups, and every state in the union had at least one rally. We published this post about the plans for the Davenport rally earlier this week.

Here's the first bit of press about our rally: Hands Off rally draws big crowd in Davenport by Ed Tibbetts.

We are also using two videos by Stella Roeser. Here is the crowd driving up Brady. Here is a walking view of some of the crowd.

The images below were from Stella and Kyle Roeser and Ann McCluskey. Thank you!

PACG Immigration and Refugee Summit - PACG Event

2/4/2023

Immigration and Refugee Summit - Navigating Complex Policies within a Broken System
Saturday, February 25th from 10:00 am to noon

Eastern Iowa Community College
Rooms W 116/117
101 West 3rd Street
Davenport, IA (map)

PACG Civil Rights Forum and co-sponsored by One Human Family and Quad Cities Interfaith

Join PACG and our co-sponsors One Human Family-QCA and Quad Cities Interfaith as we present "Navigating Complex Policies within a Broken System" on Saturday, February 25th from 10:00 am to noon at Eastern Iowa Community College in Davenport, IA.

The purpose of the summit is to inform participants of the various laws and regulations that affect immigrants and refugees, including visa processing, granting asylum, entrance quotas, available resources, and protections. Updates on current legislation as well as challenges with implementation will be discussed.

Spanish translation will be provided.

Our panelists (below) will inform the audience from their unique perspectives and experiences. They will participate in a Q&A session to discuss specific problems with the current laws in order to identify potential solutions that can be acted upon.

Summer Allchin has been a solo practitioner with Allchin Law Office, PLLC in Muscatine, Iowa since 2012. Summer practices exclusively in immigration law, focusing primarily on family-based immigration, consular processing, waivers, citizenship applications, and domestic abuse issues, such as Violence Against Women (VAWA) and U visas (nonimmigrant victims of abuse that occurred within the US) cases. Prior to opening her own law firm, Summer was an Associate Attorney with a small immigration law firm in St. Paul, Minnesota. She also worked as a family and immigration staff attorney with Mid-Minnesota Legal Services in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Summer received her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2007, where she was very active in the immigration clinic and received the “Michelle R. Bennet Award for Outstanding Client Services.” She received her B.A. in International Relations and Nordic Area Studies from Augsburg College in 2002. Summer is admitted to practice law in Iowa and Minnesota. She is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and regularly volunteers with the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice immigration clinic in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Ms. Alchin will talk about her work and the obstacles her clients face.

Karina Garnica and Gricelda Garnica are Immigration Counselors at the Catholic Diocese of Davenport. They have more than 20 years of experience in legal family reunification and also help DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. They will discuss their work and obstacles that affect the communities they serve.

Mayra Hernandez was born in Mexico and came to live in the United States when she was four years old. She is a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. Mayra is a first-generation college student and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa. Currently, she is a Community Organizer with Quad Cities Interfaith and her main goal is to identify and develop leaders in the QCA to use their voices and their stories to be powerful. She will talk about her own personal experiences, policies that affect DACA, and what needs to happen in the future.

Ratko Rastovic is the Program Director for World Relief Quad Cities. He arrived in Davenport as a refugee from the former Yugoslavia in 1999 and has been employed by World Relief Quad Cities since 2000, presently as Program Director. He is a partially Accredited Representative for the Department of Justice, which allows him to represent individuals before the Department of Homeland Security.

Fred Tsao is the Senior Policy Counsel at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). In this position, he provides technical support, trainings, and presentations on immigration-related topics to service providers, immigrant community organizations, and others who work with immigrants. He also provides updates and analysis of changes in immigration policies and procedures to ICIRR members and allies, and assists with the coalition's legislative advocacy efforts. A self-described “recovering attorney,” Fred practiced law at the Rockford office of Prairie State Legal Services, where he worked after receiving his law degree from the University of Michigan. He has also worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, and the Missouri Public Interest. Mr. Tsao will speak in depth about what the ICIRR does and some of the current issues that affect immigrant and refugee rights.

We are really excited to bring this group of panelists who have diverse experiences with immigrant and refugee populations to educate the public on the various obstacles and challenges faced by these populations. Our hope is that with a better understanding of what these populations face, we can work to make a difference.

Allison Ambrose

June Environmental Celebration - World Bicycle Day

5/31/2022

June Environmental Celebration
World Bicycle Day – June 3rd

Environmental Forum

The United Nations designated June 3rd to be World Bicycle Day.

Why should we celebrate the bicycle?

Moderate activity like bicycling significantly benefits the physical and mental health of people of all ages.
Bicycling is an affordable mode of transportation, at the same time it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses.
The World Health Organization considers cycling a pathway for achieving health equity.
Cycling is a sustainable alternative to driving; it reduces the use of fossil fuel as well as the emissions of hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Bicycling Safety

Bicyclists must travel in the same direction as the traffic and ride as far to the right as possible. When possible, travel on designated bike lanes.
Watch out for cars backing out of the driveways when biking in a residential neighborhood.
Obey all traffic laws.
Be visible, wear bright color clothing during daylight, and use light and reflective gear when riding at night.
Invest in a good helmet and wear it all the time when you bike.
Don’t wear loose clothing that can be caught up in the bicycle chain.

Take Action

Commit to leaving your car at home and biking at least one day a month.
Commit to making short distance trips on a bike instead of driving.

Download this blog post as a flier (below) to share with your family and friends!

Susan Leuthauser

june_celebration_-_biking.pdf
File Size:	286 kb
File Type:	pdf

June Green Drinks - Helping Pollinators

5/31/2022

June Green Drinks - How Can We Help Our Local Pollinators?
Tuesday, June 7th at 5 pm

Speaker: Rebecca Baugh, Naturalist,
Wapsi River Education Center

One out of every three bites of food we eat is there because of pollinators and pollinator populations are declining.

Becky Baugh, Naturalist at the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, will share about our local pollinators, discuss the cause and effect of the decline in their populations, and what you can do to support them.

RSVP for this Zoom meeting by registering at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcoduGpqTIsH9fD6ssFCjEteY09ZHZ41w6m

Download a flyer of this blog post below to share with your family and friends.

Susan Leuthauser

june_-_beckybaugh_pollinators.pdf
File Size:	904 kb
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"Iowa Is Better Than This!" After Action Report

2/18/2022

Iowa Is Better Than This! After Action Report

One Human Family - QCA, PACG and other organizations

On February 16th, hundreds of people from across the state of Iowa participated in the "Iowa is Better than This" public lamentation over some of the discriminatory legislation that has been introduced or signed into law during the 2021 Iowa legislative session.

PACG was a proud co-sponsor of this event which allowed various progressive groups from across the state to connect in this effort.

Participants read paragraphs of lament (see attachment below) over various issues such as voting rights, gun accessibility and LGBTQ+ discrimination from various locations across the state, including Davenport, Iowa City, Dubuque, Sioux City, Waterloo and Des Moines. Attendees watched virtually. After each paragraph was read, participants and attendees were asked to recite the response: "Iowa is Better than This!"

Attendees flooded the Zoom webinar with comments in Chat. About halfway through the event we saw this very typical comment: "I feel so much better than I did thirty minutes ago! Thank you for doing this!"

We have received some good press about this event. Check out this article from the Courier in Waterloo.

Other actions that you might consider in support of this work include:

1) Search Facebook (if you have an account) to see if there are like-minded advocacy organizations in your community and subscribe to their page(s) and groups.

2) Subscribe to the Iowa Legislature's Bills & Rules Watch Email Alerts to monitor new and current proposed bills by registering your email at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/portal/subscriptions

3) Most importantly, share your opinions and experiences with others. Your passion is needed to ignite the actions that must take place in order for us to return to “Iowa Nice”.

A famous rabbi once said, “It is not your duty to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Thank you for being an important part of this effort!

Allison Ambrose

iowa_is_better_than_this_program.pdf
File Size:	129 kb
File Type:	pdf

World Cleanup Event - After Action Report

9/21/2021

World Clean Up Event - After Action Report

Davenport RiverFront Bike Trail

Environmental Forum

We had 7 energetic volunteers on Saturday, September 18th to clean up along the Davenport RiverFront Bike Trail. We even worked our way into the woods on the north side of the trail, finding tires, a foldable chair, and a cooler of empty beer cans. All told, we collected 8 large bags of trash, and had some fun sharing our energy between PACG, NAACP and CCL (Citizens' Climate Lobby) friends! Thanks to everyone!

Lori McCollum

A Message to Our Members - Protecting Iowa Workers

4/19/2020

PACG Signs On to Protect Workers

A Message to Our Members

Protect the Lives and Safety of All Iowa Workers

Right now in Iowa’s fields, factories, and warehouses, in our hospitals, nursing homes, post offices, grocery stores, and beyond, thousands of Iowans are risking their lives to provide food, health care, and other essential services while facing high risks of exposure to COVID-19 in their workplaces.

For weeks, workers, labor unions, advocates, and the media have been reporting unsafe working conditions to employers and state agencies. But state leaders have refused to set any clear expectations for Iowa employers, and OSHA and other state agencies charged with protecting workers have been missing in action. Meanwhile, too many major Iowa businesses continue to operate with few or no safety measures in place.

We know that existing racial and economic inequities in our communities are exacerbated by this pandemic, and temp workers, low wage workers, workers of color, and immigrant and refugee workers are at particular risk. While workers have the right to report unsafe working conditions, many have reason to fear retaliation. Those brave enough to come forward too often find their reports falling on deaf ears.

We are already seeing the impact of unsafe working conditions, with multiple meatpacking and manufacturing plants shutting down due to the quick spread of COVID-19 among unprotected workers. We cannot afford to wait. We demand that our state leaders take immediate action and direct all Iowa employers to protect workers from further unnecessary exposure.

We call on Governor Kim Reynolds to protect the lives and safety of all Iowa workers by:

1. Immediately requiring all Iowa employers to follow federal CDC and OSHA guidance on steps to take to prevent workplace exposure.

At a minimum, steps must include:

Ceasing all non-essential operations and providing paid leave or access to unemployment benefits for affected workers.
Allowing employees who can work from home to do so.
Encouraging sick workers to stay home with pay, and eliminating barriers (i.e. doctor’s notes, discipline for absences) to taking sick leave.
Improving ventilation (e.g., increasing ventilation rates, installing high-efficiency air filters, negative pressure ventilation in certain settings).
Installing physical barriers (e.g., clear plastic sneeze guards).
Maintaining six feet or more between workers by moving workstations, slowing line speeds, or staggering shifts.
Arranging for staggered or longer break times so workers can maintain a distance of six feet during all breaks or meals.
Providing adequate sanitation supplies (soap, towels, gloves, sanitizers) and a clean working environment.
Ensuring that all work surfaces are kept clean and sanitized as often as needed.
Allowing easy and frequent access to bathrooms or hand washing stations, and providing workers with regular breaks to wash hands.
Allowing workers to wash hands upon arriving to work/entering the workplace, and ensuring full pay for all required preparation and clean-up time
Providing frequent, up-to-date education and training on COVID-19, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation procedures, or other relevant safety measures, in workers’ preferred languages.
Offering hazard pay and/or bonuses to all essential workers.

2. Ensuring all exposed workers access to medical care and emergency assistance, regardless of health insurance coverage or immigration status.

3. Directing Iowa Workforce Development to provide workers’ compensation to workers who contract COVID-19 at their workplaces.

4. Meeting with workers, self-employed, and independent contractors from essential industries to hear about the conditions they face and work with them to develop additional response plans specific to their industries, to be communicated to employers and workers in their preferred languages.

 We are in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. Failure to act is putting our workers, our food supply, and our state’s economy at severe, unnecessary risk. We call on Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa OSHA to stand up for the dignity, safety and health of our neighbors and families and take immediate action by meeting with workers and directing Iowa’s business to take immediate and decisive steps to protect our state’s workforce from COVID-19.
 
As of April 18th 65 organizations have signed this petition.

Allison Ambrose

What You Can Do Now - ACA Enrollment After Job Loss Due to the Pandemic

4/16/2020

Letter to the Editor - Important Update
Regarding ACA Enrollment After Job Loss

Health Care Reform Forum

On behalf of, and with the approval of, the PACG Health Care Reform Forum, I submitted the letter that follows to the local QC newspapers, and it was published on Saturday, April 11. My involvement with PACG was duly noted. If you know of anyone who has lost his/her job and associated health insurance, please bring the potential assistance that might be available at healthcare.gov to his/her attention.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans are losing their jobs. Those with employer-provided health insurance may also be losing that coverage at the worst possible time: leaving them with potentially no income and, if they become ill, no insurance coverage. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) offers them valuable resources.

Iowa and Illinois residents in that situation may be able to get insurance on the federal ACA Marketplace. They may also qualify for a premium subsidy or for coverage under Medicaid. The website healthcare.gov allows them to explore their options. It is important to note that they have a 60-day window after losing their employment in which to apply.

Although some insurers have waived some consumer costs of coronavirus treatment, such costs can still be very high, especially if hospitalization is required; moreover, other health care issues (broken leg, appendicitis) may still arise. Having good health insurance is essential.

The coronavirus pandemic has made us acutely aware of how important it is for all Americans to have access to good health care. The Affordable Care Act has already provided health insurance for millions of uninsured families, and it is there for many of us who need the coverage now. Our people need our government to uphold that law, not seek its overthrow in the courts.

One of the lessons we must learn from this terrible time is that good health care coverage needs to be strengthened and expanded to cover everyone, in good times as well as bad.

Karen Metcalf, Co-facilitator
Health Care Reform Forum
Progressive Action for the Common Good

After Action Report - Crisis at the Border Visit with Bobby Schilling

2/6/2020

After Action Report - Crisis at the Border Visit with
Bobby Schilling

Civil Rights Forum

The PACG Civil Rights Forum organized a visit with Bobby Schilling, who is running in the Republican primary for the Congressional seat of retiring Congressman Dave Loebsack. Immigration activists from the many organizations in the Quad Cities working on immigration issues met with Mr. Schilling to deliver our message, beginning with: "Children do not belong in detention." You can read our complete "ask" and some proposed legislation at our PACG Blog post.

We are trying to set up a similar meeting with Republican candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks. We will also visit with other candidates or elected officials in both Iowa and Illinois. Contact Alta if you want to participate.

Alta Price