🫶Giving Thanks - Action Alert, November 24, 2025
- beachesactivistmov
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Giving Thanks
Our pro-democracy efforts against Trump's authoritarian actions in his second term gained incredible momentum this year as tens of thousands of ordinary citizens turned out in northeast Florida for No Kings marches, rallies, caravans, and protests. These mass actions were made possible by a coalition of diverse local activist groups that came together to organize peaceful, nonviolent demonstrations opposing MAGA's cruel and harmful agenda. What started as a few hundred protesters at early gatherings grew to more than 8,500 local participants in last month's No Kings Day 2 activities. We are so grateful to be part of this growing movement and pledge our continued engagement and support. As recent elections (and votes to release the Epstein files) showed, we are having an impact. Let's keep building the momentum in 2026! Our thanks to:
50501 NEFL, and a host of veteran and newly organized Indivisible-affiliated groups in Jacksonville and the surrounding counties, for their incredible partnership in organizing demonstrations in 2025. Our differences, varied strengths, and diverse perspectives contributed to a strong collaboration. We had our challenges but came together and got it done! Take a look back and celebrate our hard work and success!
Our mighty postcarders, who, along with our friends at the Beaches Democratic Club, Jax NOW, and Indivisible groups in Jacksonville, St. Johns, and Nassau Counties, completed 5,000 cards (what were we thinking?) to low-propensity DEM voters in New Jersey! It was an ambitious project that contributed to a record turnout and the election of DEM Mikie Sherrill as governor --- part of the incredible blue wave in November. A special shout-out to everyone who chipped in to finish the last 1,000 cards at the 11th hour!
All our partners -- Indivisible Mandarin, Jax NOW, Beaches Democratic Club, Indivisible Riverside Jacksonville, Democratic Women's Information Network (DWIN), the Neptune Beach Coalition, Moms Demand Action, Duval DEMS, Families for Strong Public Schools & Public School Defenders, Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, Central Labor Council, Florida Rising, Northside Coalition, Duval Voting Rights Coalition, Moms Rising, League of Women Voters, to name a few -- for their commitment and willingness to join forces on issues from voting rights and social justice to education and fighting gun violence.
Mayor Donna Deegan for her leadership and unwavering commitment to a city that works for all of its residents. Despite an unrelenting headwind of opposition and political theatre from the GOP-dominated City Council, the mayor has stood strong, maintaining a voice of reason and a clear vision for our community. Thanks, too, to City Council members Jimmy Peluso, Matt Carlucci, and others who have called out the petty actions of the GOP majority --- and borne the consequences of their willingness to speak out.
The next generation of youth advocates --- including the Youth in Politics Club at Wolfson High School, Youth in Action, and others --- who inspired us and gave us hope!
The Tributary, Jax TODAY, First Coast Connect, and other non-profit media outlets and journalists that keep us informed and hold elected officials accountable. They provide an essential source of news to counterbalance the social media echo chamber.
The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) and other local food banks and businesses that provided critical support to families facing hunger during the record-breaking government shutdown that halted SNAP payments. And everyone --- including BAM members --- who collected and donated food items to aid their efforts.
All of the local candidates, both announced and contemplating a run, who are stepping forward to vie for GOP-held seats in 2026. It is an uphill battle but voters need and deserve a choice. Office holders need to be held accountable. The Beaches has some of the worst elected officials --- Rory Diamond, April Carney, and John Rutherford come to mind. It's time to replace them with people who will actually represent the best interests of their districts. We can start with Rachel Grage, who has announced her candidacy for Congressional District 4, the seat currently held by Trump sycophant John Rutherford.
The BAM Board and membership for their support of this organization and their willingness to step up! Without the volunteer efforts of our leadership team and members, our mass actions would not have been possible. They served as safety marshals, participated in event planning, donated resources, helped with meetings, tabled at multiple demonstrations, sold t-shirts, volunteered at community events, represented us at hearings and press conferences, and handled the demands of a growing membership, among many other contributions. The success of BAM reflects this incredible commitment!
And last, but not least, everyone who clicks on this email when it lands in their inbox on Monday morning -- thanks for reading, taking action, and sharing this weekly alert with your friends! Never hesitate to reach out with your views and suggestions. Your engagement and advocacy are more important than ever as we head into 2026.
Black Friday Protests & Boycotts
Here are two ways you can use your economic power this week to push back on Trump's corrupt regime and the businesses that support it:
Join 50501 NEFL and 50501 Vets for a Black Friday protest on Friday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at the St. Johns Town Center in front of Wells Fargo Bank (4715 Towns Center Parkway). Bring a sign and NOT your credit card!
Support We Ain't Buying It, a nationwide economic pressure campaign against corporations that have colluded with the Trump administration. From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, We Ain’t Buying It urges consumers to avoid shopping at Target, Amazon, and Home Depot and call on these major retailers to cease collaborating with and enabling this administration’s harmful policies. The Thanksgiving week boycott is an initiative of Indivisible, Black Voters Matter, and Until Freedom.
Fight School Book Bans
On Monday, December 1st, the School Board will vote on changes to a policy that would allow the Board to hand-pick members for a new book review committee, and rely on a statute a judge has already ruled unconstitutional. Their agenda is clear: make it easier to ban books in our schools. Local activists have organized a picket before the meeting at 5 p.m. at the school administration building (1701 Prudential Drive). They will also be collecting donations of new or gently used coats and nonperishable food items for Full-Service Schools (if you can't make it downtown, email us for a drop-off location at the beach). Our kids deserve access to diverse, age-relevant books, not politically driven censorship. Show up, bring a donation, and speak out! Can't attend the protest? Email the Board today to express your opposition.
State Redistricting Committee Meets December 4th: Be There!
Thursday, December 4th, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in Tallahassee. Opposing mid-decade redistricting is one of our top 2026 legislative priorities. The Select Committee was formed by the House Speaker after entreaties from Trump and the governor seeking to increase GOP margins before the 2026 elections. BAM and other local Indivisible groups are joining the League of Women Voters First Coast and a coalition of voting rights organizations for a pre-meeting rally on the Capitol steps at noon. At this moment, when it's apparent politicians are noticing the public opposition to the Trump agenda, demonstrating that opposition in public is particularly important. The LWV has chartered a bus from Jacksonville for the day trip. Contact BAM if you can join us on the bus. More details will be shared on the Statewide Indivisible Task Force (SWIFT) meeting on Tuesday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m. RSVP here.
Thanks to all of our BAM and Indivisible Mandarin volunteers who helped with Healthy Start's Farm Share event last week. We helped distribute 300+ boxes of fresh produce to local families! |
Mark Your Calendar! Celebrate & Get Ready for 2026!
