May Day Strong! Action Alert -April 27, 2026
- beachesactivistmov
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
“Every few months, Americans are asked to resume their banquet and pretend a shooting didn’t just happen,” one commentator on Bluesky wrote after the correspondents' dinner. Another account responded: “Well, in fairness, that’s what we ask of school kids.”
Rachel Leingang, The Guardian.
May Day Strong: No Work, No School, No Shopping
On Friday, May 1st, BAM is joining with the North Florida Central Labor Council, area Indivisible groups, 50501, the Duval DEMS, and other allies to support workers and flex our power in a national day of nonviolent economic disruption.
Join us for a peaceful rally at the St. Johns Town Center at 10:00 am on the sidewalk in front of Wells Fargo on Town Center Parkway as we celebrate the contributions of workers and organized labor who form the backbone of our communities. We are pushing back against the administration and the billionaires who control it. We are standing up for economic and social justice. We are saying "Workers Not Billionaires."
In addition to the Town Center event, we're urging you to take part in a national effort to demonstrate our economic muscle by supporting No Work, No School, No Shopping to the extent that you can. Not everyone can take off from work or school, but we all shop - please put your purchases on hold May 1st, in support of workers all across Jacksonville! We can all see how money distorts our politics every day. Withholding our cash is one great way to put a scare into the current powers-that-be. Get your signs ready! This will be a nationwide day of action - let's make Jacksonville proud! RSVP here for details.
Special Session Starts Tuesday, April 28th
Florida legislators will return to Tallahassee on Tuesday, April 28th to figure out how they can further gerrymander the state's congressional districts to give the GOP additional seats. They will also take up two controversial bills on vaccines and AI that failed to gain traction during the regular session. The Governor, who called the special session, has yet to release his proposed map, despite a week's delay in the start of the session.
Voting rights groups have organized buses from Jacksonville and throughout the state to rally at the Capitol in opposition to the redistricting plan. Meanwhile, House and Senate leaders have announced plans for another 18-day special session starting May 12th to adopt the state budget --- which legislators failed to do during the regular session.
Take action now to OPPOSE partisan gerrymandering in Florida and efforts to further weaken protections offered by childhood immunization mandates:
Remind FL Senator Clay Yarborough (904.723.2035) and Rep. Kiyan Michael (904.561.1010) that voters should pick their representatives and not the other way around. Demand they vote NO on further gerrymandering the state's congressional districts.
Tell them to OPPOSE the "medical freedom" bill providing additional exemptions from childhood vaccinations. Fighting partisan redistricting and further elimination of vaccine mandates are BAM's 2026 legislative priorities --- find talking points to support your advocacy here.
Can't make the trip to Tallahassee? There are plenty of other ways to take action. Your voice is critical!
Federal Action: Take Your Pick
Gun control. Saturday's averted shooting at the White House Correspondents' dinner provided Trump with new justification to support his massive ballroom project. We see it as an opportunity to push for common-sense gun control. If you agree, let FL Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, and Rep. John Rutherford know. You can reach them through the Capitol switchboard (202.224.3121) or by email (click on their names). Extra credit: Donate to Moms Demand Action -- we have a great local chapter!
No Iran War. The GOP-controlled Congress continues to balk at passing a war powers
resolution to rein in Trump's power in waging an illegal war in Iran. With negotiations
stalled and the threat of a widening conflict, we need to urge our federal elected representatives to do their job! Tell Scott, Moody, and Rutherford to exert the constitutional authority of Congress over military conflict by passing a War Powers Resolution and refusing to approve any supplemental funding for this unauthorized military action. Find their contact info above.
Oppose ICE & CBP Reconciliation Funding Bill. Unable to pass a bipartisan budget compromise to end the partial government shutdown, the GOP is now using budget
reconciliation, a process that allows the passage of bills with a simple majority, to secure more funding for ICE and CBP as well as the illegal war in Iran. If passed, any new expenditures will have to be offset by equivalent budget cuts, likely impacting essential social safety net programs. The measure passed the Senate last week, and now requires action by the House. Demand that Congressman John Rutherford oppose a budget reconciliation bill that funds ICE and Border Patrol without any reforms or accountability. Congress should be working to stop these rogue agencies from endangering the American public, not using a sneaky partisan procedure to enable them. And no supplemental funding for the war in Iran.
Communities Not Cages National Day of Action
Thanks to everyone who joined last weekend's Saturday morning at the Beaches Library in support of the Communities Not Cages National Day of Action. We were proud to join protestors across the country in opposing the expansion of massive detention warehouses by the Department of Homeland Security. We'll be back again at 10 a.m. next week --- bring a friend and join us!
RAISE HOTLINE: 1-888-600-5762
Have you recently seen, interacted with, been detained, or know someone impacted by ICE? Call the hotline. Alert local Legal Observers and connect detainees with assistance and resources. Email us to learn more about how you can help!
Comments