“This must be a season of action….Stand up to dictators and demagogues, from the battlefields of Ukraine to the halls of our own capital. Defend democracy at home, just as vigorously as we do abroad.” — Hillary Clinton
Don't Rollback Roe!
Thanks to Women's March for speedy organizing, more thanks to the many BAM, Mandarin Indivisible, NOW, Moms Demand, DWIN members - and the several hundred others who attended last Wednesday's rally at the Jacksonville Courthouse. The rally to vent our anger and frustration about the leaked Supreme Court opinion threatening to undo Roe v. Wade was very well attended. It was also encouragingly diverse in terms of both race and age - a hopeful sign for building the energy and engagement we need for this year's midterms. In addition to protesting, we registered new voters, changed a number of NPAs to Democrats, and gathered more than 120 signed petitions to help 4 local pro-choice candidates get on the ballot. What's next?
Take heart - most Floridians oppose abortion bans.
Donate or volunteer with groups working to help women whose access to safe abortion is limited. Besides Planned Parenthood, get to know: The Brigid Alliance, The National Network of Abortion Funds & ARC Southeast.
Rally Again this Saturday, May 14. A host of groups are organizing a mass collective of events across the nation to support abortion rights this weekend. JAX Women's March and The Florida Action Network are hosting one here at the Duval County Courthouse at noon. Per the organizers "This rally is YOURS!" If you want to share your personal story, arrive by 11 to sign up.
Call our Senators today. This week the Senate will vote on the Women's Health Protection Act (S 1975). While you're at it, urge them to also support S1141 - the Judiciary Act to expand the broken and distrusted Supreme Court. Whether they listen or not, Rubio and Scott need to hear from us.
Successful Effort to Protect Duval Schools
Thanks to all who answered our call for petition signatures, phone calls and emails to oppose the Duval School Board resolution introduced by member Charlotte Joyce endorsing the state's new "Don't Say Gay" law. Thanks also to BAM member and Moms Demand leader Katie Hathaway who delivered BAM's petition (signed by 416 concerned citizens) and, along with so many like-minded others, endured hours of Moms for Liberty rants in order to speak out for the protection of all students & families in Duval. Finally, thanks are due to our School Board - which voted to indefinitely table the resolution.
Save the Date: Wednesday May 18 @ 7pm ICARE: Working for Justice in Duval
Join the May BAM-IM joint Zoom next week to learn about the mission of Jacksonville's Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation & Empowerment (ICARE). For the past 17 years, this group of 38 Jacksonville faith congregations have worked together to address city-wide issues of justice & fairness. With combined congregations representing more than 30,000 residents, ICARES confronts city officials with evidence of systemic problems and pushes for specific solutions in the areas of policing, criminal justice, and wealth building through neighborhood building.
Come hear about their current priorities and how we can help. And for everyone who's impatient to learn ways to start creating change, we'll be presenting a number of ways to get active in the community now. All are welcome but registration is required. RSVP to receive your Zoom link.
Demings In Duval
Senatorial candidate Val Demings told crowds at last week's fundraiser at Estrella Cocina, and later at the IBEW hall, that she is "running to win" her race to replace Marco Rubio. Many of our members and friends from other progressive groups attended and were impressed. To volunteer, learn more about her priorities, or donate, visit her campaign website.
Thursday, May 12 @ 8 pm - Join "The Big Send"
Vote Forward is the letter-writing arm of Swing Left - with a strong track record for getting out the vote (GOTV). To support turnout in this year's midterms they aim to send 10 million letters to voters. And to kick-off this event, they are holding a virtual letter writing event this week. Click here to sign up. Meet progressives from across the country and test a GOTV method you can use all year.
Tuesday, May 17 @ 6:30 pm - Beaches Democratic Club Meets In Person!
Beaches Democratic Club is happy to announce they will be meeting in person next week at the Beaches Library meeting room - 300 3rd St. North, Neptune Beach. The topic for the evening is the newly adopted Florida and Jacksonville redistricting plans, the resulting lawsuits, and the likely impact on Democrats at the Federal, State, and City levels. As a bonus they also plan to explore how the GOP took the already conservative US House District 4 (Rep John Rutherford) and transformed it from an R+14 to an R+26 district. Come and bring a friend to this informative & motivating meeting. Set-up will begin at 6, so come early to help & socialize.
This Week's Essential Reads - Both Good & Bad
Appeals Court Reinstates SB90 - the Midterms Just Got Harder.
DeSantis Math Textbook Attack - How Completely It's a Hoax.
Florida Covid Cases Up; Hospitalizations Still Low.
Heather Cox Richardson: Biden's Continued Economic Wins and the Hopeful Bipartisan Innovation Act.
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