Welcome!

Progressive Action of the Quad Cities intends to help build a support network aimed at educating, engaging, and empowering citizens to work for the common good of all in our communities. Enjoy the information available on this site and thank you for visiting!

ONGOING PACG ACTIVITIES:

PACG Community Networking Night

Members of PACG meet every 4th Thursday of the month. Starting at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at Cobblestone Place, 1212 W. 3rd St, Davenport IA 52804. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring food and their progressive ideas to share!

Peace Vigil

We stand for peace every Saturday from 11 am to noon on the corner of John Deere Rd and 16th Street, Moline. But from November through March we gather at 11am in the food court at South Park Mall and walk around with our bright green "End the War" shirts. (You don't need a shirt to join us.) Hope to see you there. It's fun!

QC Hempfest 2013 After Action Report:

Posted: June 17th 2013

Info board next to our petition table

QC Hempfest 2013
June 8, 2013

After Action Report:

The Hempfest ran from 8am until 1:30pm outside of the Food Hub at the Davenport Farmers Market during Hemp History Awareness Week.

This was an ideal location and the weather was very cooperative since our tables were outside. Turnout was very high; hundreds came by to learn and participate.

Two information boards were on display along with a power-point presentation on the many benefits of hemp, the history of hemp, and recent legislative efforts to enact state and federal laws to allow the growing of industrial hemp.

Many product samples were provided to show the versatility of hemp as a commodity, from food items to health products, soaps, lotions and apparel, to only name a few.

Hemp Product samples

A film presentation of “Hempsters: Plant the Seed” played continually inside of the Fresh Deli cafe adjacent to our outdoor activities. Hundreds of people had the opportunity to see the film throughout the day.

Federal:

Over 100 action alerts to senators were completed in an effort to encourage passage of Senator Wyden’s Industrial Hemp amendment to the US Farm bill which was introduced on May 20th.

Dan with stack of petitions

The language is the same as S359, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013, which has bipartisan support. This amendment would allow farmers in the US to once again have the opportunity to grow this profitable agricultural crop. Senator Mitch McConnell attempted to add the hemp bill as an amendment to the 2013 Farm bill within the Agriculture committee but it was blocked. This amendment failed in spite of broad bipartisan support.

State:

Iowa and Illinois also have industrial hemp bills currently before their legislatures. Individuals were asked to call their representatives and governors expressing support for industrial hemp and passage of the bills.

Insights:

We received very positive feedback and participation – would only build on networking efforts for a larger event the same time next year during Hemp History Awareness Week.

Follow-up:

Grandson Riley helping set up info table

It is important to continue educating the public and to keep the pressure on our elected officials.

Action:

Please go to www.votehemp.com and participate in the action by contacting your senators today!

Volunteers:

Many thanks to those who volunteered at the event, my grandson Riley Robinson, Cliff Day and Caroline Vernon.

QC Hemp Participants

Other resources:

www.hempinc.com
www.hempstersthemovie.com
www.drbronner.com/hemp.php
www.prana.com (hemp wear)
us.naturespath.com
www.happyhempsters.com


QC Hemp Posters

Climate Presentation at Networking Night – March 28

Posted: March 28th 2013

2013 – The Year for Climate Action

State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids

Iowa Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids will speak about the growing severity of climate change as a problem facing the United States and the world, and the need for climate action by people in Iowa and across the country. After the heat and drought of 2012, after the floods of recent years, and after climate disasters like Hurricane Sandy, it is time for climate action. Come learn about climate change and what you can do – as an individual, as a citizen, and as a member of PACG – to help the fight against climate change. Working together, we can make the changes we need to improve health, expand prosperity, and achieve sustainability in the 21st Century.

Gun Control Discussion At Networking Night

Posted: January 27th 2013

     At the February 28th Community Networking Night  in the first floor CommunityRoom at Cobblestone Place, we will host a discussion on the gun control issue.   Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba, a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, along with Maria Dickman from MoveOn will share their views and answer questions.  Please bring a snack to share and join us at 6 pm for a very interesting discussion.

Karen Metcalf in DC Again

Posted: January 27th 2013

     Our Health Care Reform Forum leader, Karen Metcalf, has been invited to Washington DC at the end of January by Josie Underwood of Families USA to co-host a breakfast  about how Karen works with faith organizations in the Quad Cities to help educate folks about health care issues and the Affordable Care Act.  We are very proud of Karen and grateful for her tireless efforts on behalf of health care reform. 

An Award to Be Proud Of

Posted: December 27th 2012

     At a reception on December 10th in Chicago, our Healthcare Reform Forum Leader, Karen Metcalf, received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the statewide healthcare advocacy organization, Campaign for Better Healthcare.  She was able to speak with Wendell Potter and even got her picture taken with him.  We are very proud of Karen and grateful for her ongoing efforts to educate individuals and groups of people about the facts and benefits  regarding the Affordable Care Act.

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