Blog Posts - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

What You Can Do Now - Plastic Free July

7/17/2020

Be Part of the Solution - Plastic Free July

Environmental Forum

Plastic Free July

The Plastic Free Foundation in Australia initiated the annual Plastic Free July campaign in 2011 to challenge world citizens to stop plastic pollution. By 2019 this global plastic free movement had over 250 million participants. They avoided over 900,000 tons of plastic waste, which included single-use beverage containers, straws, plastic bags, packaging materials, and more.

Visit July Plastic Free Challenge to register. Or start by refusing single-use plastic. See how much plastic waste you can reduce in your life.

You can be part of the solution and make a difference.

Susan Leuthauser

A Message from the WEU Editors

7/14/2020

Zoom Security Update

The Weekly Email Update (WEU) Editors

We have learned a lot in the three months that we have successfully been using Zoom to host our meetings and events! One of the changes that you may have noticed is that we no longer post our Zoom Meeting IDs or passwords in the WEU or on our PACG Calendar. You must always contact the Zoom host via email or phone to express your interest in the meeting and to get login links.

We encourage our members, and those of you the wider community, to keep this in mind. In fact, we will change your WEU submission to tell our readers to contact you for Zoom details.

Thanks for your understanding as we make our way through the unique challenges in our world today.

What You Can Do Now - Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

7/9/2020

50th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration -
Saturday, July 18th at 9:00 am

Freight House Farmers Market
421 W River Drive, Davenport, IA (map)

Environmental Forum

Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with us. Experience what our community is doing to help save Planet Earth. There will be exhibitions, children's activities and live music.

For everyone's safety, please wear face coverings and practice at least 6 feet of social distancing.

Susan Leuthauser

No Hate In Our States - Listen to "1619" Podcast

7/9/2020

Learn more about Black History - "1619" Podcast

Civil Rights Forum

Podcasts are available for free via a variety of apps. “1619,” which was created by the New York Times, is an engaging and informative series that traces the history and lasting effects that slavery has had on our Black population. Podcasts are great, because you can listen while in the car, making supper, sewing masks or doing other activities.

Black history - "1619" Podcast

Julie Ross

Learn About Black History Online - No Hate In Our States

7/1/2020

Learn More About Black History - View Online

Civil Rights Forum

Here are two fine programs streaming for free that will give insight into Black history in our country.

I recommend you watch them in this order:

Finding Your Roots on PBS, Season 1, episode 2: Gives the fascinating history of two prominent African American politicians, Cory Booker and John Lewis. NOTE: this is streaming on Amazon ONLY through June 30th.

After you learn about John Lewis’s roots, you will want to watch Selma, which is streaming for free on Amazon Prime.

Both of these movies provide excellent information and are great springboards for family discussion.

Julie Ross

There Is No Such Thing As A "White Ally" - No Hate In Our States

7/1/2020

Read the Article There Is No Such Thing as a "White Ally"

Civil Rights Forum

Conversations about race are never easy. It is not the job of Black People to do that educating. As attorney Catherine Pugh points out in her article, There Is No Such Thing as a "White Ally", "Racism is not mine, it's yours. It's not called 'helping' when it's your mess we're cleaning."

This is not an easy read, but it is essential that white people fully understand racism in America. Catherine Pugh is a former adjunct professor at the Temple University in Japan. She developed and taught "Race and the Law" for its undergraduate program. She has worked for the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section, and as a Public Defender for the State of Maryland.

“There Is No Such Thing as a ‘White Ally’”

Caryn Unsicker

Introducing the "No Hate In Our States" Section in Our WEU

6/23/2020

No Hate In Our States -
A Recent Addition to the PACG Weekly Email Update

A Message From Our President

Dear Progressives,

I am sure you have been as disheartened as I have over the murder of George Floyd, but I hope you have also found hope in the powerful resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. PACG wholeheartedly supports this movement as well as all efforts for advancing racial justice in our communities and our country.

In response, demonstrating the importance of these efforts, our newsletter will begin each week with a new "No Hate in Our States" section, which will provide information on how you can get involved in supporting Black Lives Matter as well as justice and equality for all. In addition, links to more suggested actions for advancing these efforts will appear in this section.

Let's stand in solidarity with our diverse brothers and sisters in advancing justice!

Your President,

Allison

Watch "13th" - No Hate In Our States

6/23/2020

**Watch the Documentary 13th - Streaming On Netflix**

No Hate In Our States

Netflix and Amazon Prime are streaming many excellent movies and documentaries which give insight into the history of racism in our country and why the Black Lives Matter movement is something we must all understand and support.

13th is an excellent documentary for gaining understanding into the oppression and racism that plague our country. Watch 13th for free on YouTube: https://youtu.be/krfcq5pF8u8

Keep an eye on the PACG Facebook page for more film suggestions.

Julie Ross

Attend the Davenport Earth Month Proclamation - What You Can Do Now

6/20/2020

Presentation of 2020 Earth Month Proclamation
to Davenport City Council
Wednesday, July 8th at 5:30 pm

Council Chamber
Davenport City Hall
226 W 4th Street, Davenport (map)

Environmental Forum

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Earth Month Proclamation signed by Davenport Mayor Matson has not been presented to the City Council. This will be done at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 8th at 5:30 pm. It will be one of the first items on the agenda.

You are welcome to attend this event. Due to present Council stipulations, seating is limited, so the City would like names of those who plan to attend. Please contact PJ Slobojan at pjs312@q.com by Friday, June 26th, if you’re interested in attending.

Susan Leuthauser

Racial Equality Now! Rally - What You Can Do Now

6/20/2020

Racial Equality Now! Rally
Saturdays at 11:30 am, beginning June 20th

The Slumberland/Party City Corner of
John Deere RD & 16th ST
Moline, IL (across from South Park Mall) (map)

Civil Rights Forum

Please join us from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm every Saturday to stand up for the rights of Black People, specifically, and all People of Color in the United States of America! The purpose of this local Racial Equality Now! Rally is to support the current movement for racial equality and justice that has spread across this country and to ensure that it keeps going for as long as it takes to see real and meaningful progress toward racial equality in America.

Our first rally was this past Saturday, June 13th, and we got lots of positive feedback from people passing by. If you come on Saturday, please wear a mask and expect to participate in social distancing (6 to 10 feet from others).

Although I made a few extra signs, please bring some of your own if you can. Ideas for signs can include things like “Honk for Justice,” Honk for Equality,” “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe!,” “Let’s Talk!,” “No Hate in Our State,” or “No More Deaths,” and many others.

There is lots of parking in the adjoining Slumberland/Party City/Enterprise parking lot, so please bring a friend and join us to help promote racial justice and equality for all People of Color! If you can’t make it this Saturday, join us on Saturdays as often as you can. Together we can make a difference!

Caryn Unsicker