Social Justice ‘Peace Train’ Sing-along Oct. 16 In Davenport
Local, state and national elections will be Nov. 5. For our democracy to thrive, it is important for everyone to learn about the issues, register to vote and go to the polls. One Human Family of the QCA, a community-based human rights organization, will offer that opportunity in a fun way — and help raise funds to strengthen community mental health services — during the Social Justice “Peace Train” Sing-along and free dinner from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at The Diner at the Freight House Farmers Market, 421 River Drive, Davenport.
“The upcoming election is crucial for our democratic process and for whole categories of people who face discrimination and hate from those who seek to divide us. To raise awareness and celebrate our commonalities, One Human Family is throwing a ‘Peace Train’ Sing-along party,” says the Rev. Rich Hendricks, co-founder of One Human Family of the QCA, who serves as pastor of Metro Community Church Quad Cities, Davenport.
“Members of the Quad-City community are invited to register to vote, learn about early voting and the constitutional amendments on the Iowa ballot, sing out the rich heritage of our protest songs and have fun as we build excitement for the upcoming elections. We are so happy that The Diner will graciously open its doors to us for a wonderful buffet of its signature chicken and waffles for breakfast in the evening. While the event is free, those who attend will be encouraged to make a donation for mental health/disability services in our community. Those services were cut by more than $3 million in eastern Iowa for fiscal year 2024. We hope to raise funds for these vital community services,” he adds.
The event will be nonpartisan, notes Rabbi Henry Karp, co-founder of One Human Family of the QCA. “We believe that the democratic system is at its best when all eligible voters are informed of the issues and exercise their right to cast their ballots for candidates and the measures that reflect their vision of America’s future,” he says.
Voting is a right, a privilege and the way American citizens can express their views and help shape the trajectory of the country. Karp says this was summed up very succinctly Sept. 17, 1787, after the delegates to the Constitutional Convention ratified and signed the U.S. Constitution.
“A woman by the name of Elizabeth Willing Powell asked Benjamin Franklin, ‘Well, doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin is reported to have responded, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.!’ Keeping the republic is the task that has been passed down to us. Being an informed and regular voter is the best way to do that,” Karp says.
Chris Dunn, a Quad-City area folksinger, will lead the sing-along portion of the evening. “Singing in a group is a great community-builder. And creating and sustaining community is needed to bring about a society free of poverty and hunger, and a world without hatred and war,” he says, noting that the evening will offer an opportunity to “sing and work together for justice and freedom.”
In addition, free One Human Family yard signs will be available for distribution.
All participants will need to register in advance to attend. To do so, email Hendricks at richhendricks@msn.com.
