Dummymandering🤞- Action Alert, April 20, 2026
- beachesactivistmov
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
. . .Partisan gerrymandering does have one ultimate weakness—a foe that doesn’t always win, but whose victories are especially satisfying. That foe is gerrymandering itself."
David Graham, The Revenge of the Dummymander.
Special Session Rescheduled, Vaccines & AI Added
The special session on redistricting --- originally scheduled to start today --- will now take place on Tuesday, April 28th, with two controversial additions to its agenda: vaccines and AI.
FL Governor Ron DeSantis abruptly postponed the session, aimed at further gerrymandering the state's congressional districts, to allow more time for his staff to develop maps and for the Supreme Court to provide a rationale for the partisan exercise. Some legislators, meanwhile, are concerned that plans to secure five additional GOP seats could be riskier than anticipated, given the outcome of recent elections in reliably red areas of the state. And based on history, they may have something to worry about.
Added to the mix next week are two bills lawmakers failed to pass during the regular session. The “medical freedom” bill, sponsored by our own state Sen. Clay Yarborough, would create a “conscience exemption” from certain vaccine requirements for kids. The bill flies in the face of scientific evidence and is opposed by public health experts and major medical organizations. Florida's already low vaccination rates have contributed to a dangerous rise in measles cases in the state.
The AI bill, another DeSantis priority that failed to gain traction during the session, would establish a right for parents to control children’s interactions with AI chatbots. A reminder: the Legislature has still not adopted a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st.
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) they work for us and need to focus on their fundamental responsibility: approving a state budget. Then demand they vote NO on further gerrymandering the state's congressional districts, and OPPOSE the "medical freedom" bill providing additional exemptions for childhood vaccinations. Fighting partisan redistricting and eliminating vaccine mandates are BAM's 2026 legislative priorities --- find talking points to support your advocacy here.
Join us in Tallahassee! The rally, bus trips, and other activities planned for the opening day of the special session at the Capitol will now take place on Tuesday, April 28th. If you signed up for the Jacksonville bus trip, you should receive a confirmation with details about the new date. If you haven't signed up yet, the Jax bus is currently at capacity; click here to be placed on the wait list. Can't make the trip? There are plenty of other ways to take action this week. Your voice is critical!
Communities Not Cages: Stop ICE Detention Warehouses
It's happening again in our backyard. Strong opposition from local residents and immigrant rights advocates led to another delay on a decision by the Bradford County Commission on the use of a local warehouse in Starke, FL as an ICE detention facility. But that's unlikely to be the end of it in northeast Florida.
On Saturday, April 25th, we're joining communities across the country and amplifying local opposition to efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand their existing detention network beyond jails, prisons, and military bases to include large warehouse and industrial spaces for mass detention. Join us and participate in the Communities Not Cages: National Day of Action to Stop ICE Warehouse Detention. We'll be focusing on this latest cruel immigration enforcement tactic by ICE/CBP at the weekly Saturday morning protest at the Beaches Library, organized by the Neptune Beach Coalition. RSVP and get information here.
BAM has also joined No Concentration Camps USA, a national coalition of grassroots organizers & national groups fighting ICE warehouses, to monitor and respond to activity in northeast Florida. Starke is an example of how many communities, including those in red areas, have successfully stopped these warehouses. A reminder that we are still recruiting volunteer legal observers to implement the ACLU RAISE initiative locally! Contact us if you want to get involved.
Workers Over Billionaires: Save the Date for May Day!
Coming on the heels of our historic projection of people power on No Kings Day, BAM is joining with May Day Strong, the North Florida Central Labor Council, area Indivisible groups, 50501, the Duval DEMS, and other allies to support workers and flex our economic power in a massive day of nonviolent economic disruption on May 1.
Join us for a rally at the St. Johns Town Center on Friday, May 1st at 10:00am on the sidewalk in front of Wells Fargo on Town Center Parkway.
Gov. DeSantis and the legislature kneecapped public employee unions --- teachers, health care workers. bus drivers and other --- during the last session. They need us to show our support!
In addition to the Town Center event, we're urging you to take part in the boycott. Not everyone works or goes to 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!
Fun Day at Arts in the Park
We had a great time talking to friends and neighbors at Arts in the Park last weekend! We had something for everyone -- including our four-legged friends. There was lots of interest in candidates and upcoming elections. Hot topics: affordable health care, education, and making America GOOD again! Congratulations to trivia contest winner Tim Noles (Three U.S. Presidents who were artists? Answer: Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, FDR, JFK, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ulysses S. Grant) and Karen Arlington, winner of the beaded BAM t-shirt created by member Brenda Rivera. Special thanks to Kim Skeen, organizer extraordinaire, and to all the BAM volunteers and to old and new friends who stopped by! Find more photos here.
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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