De-Pressing 🎤- Action Alert, September 28, 2026
“I think he is the most threatening president to free speech, free press, the First Amendment that we’ve ever had.”
Must (Not) See TV: More Attacks on Free Press
In a page right out of 1984, Trump continued his efforts to stifle a free press last week by banning major news outlets from the White House. The attack is the latest in an ever-widening attempt to control the media and its coverage of the administration, with actions ranging from impugning individual journalists to defamation suits and regulatory coercion.
Trump's latest volley against the press came with a new twist: his offer of an alternative, Trump TV: the Essential Station -- a 24-hour live stream of administration propaganda. Dave Shilling of The Guardian describes the YouTube channel as "a digital pathway to hell." And to no one's surprise, the Trump family took steps to monetize the effort.
Enough! Take action this week to fight the continued assault on freedom of the press by Trump and his administration:
Email the media outlets in the press pool and urge them to resume their boycott of White House coverage—an effort to protest the exclusion of MS NOW, CNN & Politico by Trump. The group needs a backbone and should not back down. Click to reach each of them: CNN, FOX News, ABC, CBS, NBC.
Lend your support to MS NOW, CNN, and Politico, the three media groups targeted by Trump, by signing this petition from Independence Dispatch and other advocacy organizations.
Subscribe to and support non-profit newsrooms and public media! Local options include The Florida Tributary, Jax TODAY, and Florida Trident. Subscribing is the most direct way to support quality local journalism, according to leading advocacy groups.
Look for Ballots This Week & Join BAM
October 8th for a Ballot Party!
Vote-by-Mail ballots hit mailboxes this week, and sample ballots for the midterm election are already available online! If you are scratching your head about down-ballot candidates and issues, you are not alone. The midterm ballot is packed with races, amendments, and referenda! Join us as we put our heads together and figure it out at the monthly BAM Meeting on Thursday, October 8th --- and have a little fun doing it! Bring two friends and plan to attend the meeting at 7 p.m. at the Adele Grage Community Center. It's BYOB (Bring Your Own Ballot)! We'll have resource people with information about the constitutional amendments, the school tax referendum, judicial retention, and the local judge seat. Plus refreshments, Ballot Trivia, Ballot Bingo, prizes, and more! We'll also have sign-making supplies for the No Kings: Vote Early national day of action on October 17th! RSVP and let's get ready to vote!
Mark Your Calendar! October 17th
No Kings: Vote Early National Day of Action
For over a year, millions of people have come together to send a clear message: in America, we have no kings. Power belongs to the people, but only if we use it. Elections – our votes – determine who holds that power. No Kings: Vote Early, scheduled for October 17, is the critical next step in our strategy: this is an urgent, massive day of voter participation and election protection.
In Jacksonville, the No Kings Coalition is planning events and activities on October 17th and beyond! Details will be up on Mobilize this week, but here's a sneak peek: a morning Hands Off Our Vote protest at Beaches Library, an afternoon Rally & Voter Fest at the courthouse downtown, and visibility actions October 20 - November 1st at overpasses and early voting sites throughout the city! Mark your calendar, get your signs ready, and turn your outrage into action. Let's have a big midterm turnout and protect the vote!
Get Ready to Vote with the BAM Election Guide
What's on your ballot? The BAM Election Guide for the November midterm election is updated and online!Â
Check it out and find key voting dates, resources, and information on issues and like-minded candidates up and down the ballot. Please share with family and friends!
We can make this a blue tsunami on November 3rd!
Be A Part of Rideshare2Vote & Help Get
Progressives to the Polls
If you're looking for a hands-on way to help people get to the polls for the midterm election, take a look at Rideshare2Vote. The organization is currently recruiting and training drivers and dispatchers in our area. The last driver training session is Wednesday, September 30th. It's virtual and you can join from the comfort of your home.  RSVP and get info here. They plan to offer rides on two days: one at the end of early voting and one on Election Day. Interested in helping as a dispatcher? The next trainings, also virtual, are Saturday, October 3rd and October 10th. RSVP and learn more here. The service bills itself as "the only National Ride2Vote Program for Democrats and Progressives."
Celebrate PRIDE Month!
Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 pm - Jax River City Pride Parade. March from Willow Branch
Park (Park St. & Cherry St.) to Riverside Park. Join this 1.5-mile celebration through Jacksonville's historic Avondale, Riverside, and 5 Points neighborhoods.Â
Sunday, October 4 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm - Jax River City Pride Festival. Come join us for a festive day of music, merch, food, drinks and fun! Riverside Park, 753 Park St., Jacksonville.
Amendment 3, School Tax Referendum & More
Join Duval Teachers United and Families for Strong Public Schools for a community conversation about funding Duval County Public Schools and the upcoming tax referendum on Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. to noon at the Schultz Center. RSVP here.
Beaches Watch will hold a forum on Amendment 3 on Wednesday, October 7th at 7 p.m. at the Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Blvd., featuring speakers Rick Mullaney, Director, Jacksonville University Haskell Public Policy Institute; Charles Chapman, Finance and Taxation Legislative Advocate, Florida League of Cities; and Mike Staffopoulos, Jacksonville Beach City Manager.
Jax NOW is hosting a virtual forum at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14th on Amendments 1, 2 & 3 with Rhona DiCamillo and Lanelle Philmon from the League of Women Voters, First Coast. RSVP to jacksonvillenowchapter@gmail.com to get a link to the meeting.
Escape This Week: For Your Reading
(and Listening) Pleasure
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!
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