🎉Hope & Resistance 💪-Action Alert, November 10, 2025

"...While we cast our ballots alone, we chose hope together. Hope over tyranny. Hope over big money and small ideas. Hope over despair. And we won because we insisted that no longer would politics be something that is done to us. Now, it is something that we do."

New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani

It Was a Good Week! But We're Not Done Yet

(And Neither Are They)

Election lawyer Marc Elias said it best: Last week was a very good one --- for both Democrats and democracy. Democrats won everything, everywhere, all at once. In the first

election of Trump's second term, voters chose a vastly different vision of America and its future. Election results added to a tsunami of pushback against the MAGA agenda, demonstrated by the recent No Kings Day protests in small towns and big cities, and red and blue states across the country.

And while these events give us hope, Elias warns that Trump and his GOP enablers are not done yet as they double down on voter suppression, election subversion, and worse in advance of the 2026 midterms. Pressure is mounting in Florida and other Republican-controlled states to adopt even more extreme maps to disenfranchise voters through mid-decade redistricting. These efforts follow unprecedented national and state actions that have made it more difficult for many citizens to vote. Additionally, we can count on Trump to continue his assault on democratic norms and institutions, unfettered by the GOP-led Congress and most courts. We're not done yet. Actions you can take this week:

🔷 Oppose GOP efforts to further gerrymander Florida. The Duval Legislative Delegation will hear public comments on Wednesday, November 12th, from 10 am - 2 pm at City Hall. You can still sign up to speak against mid-decade redistricting --- check out BAM's talking points here --- or speak out about any other issue you care about. Can't attend the hearing? Contact State Rep. Kiyan Michael and Sen. Clay Yarborough directly to oppose gerrymandering here in Florida --- or voice your views on the issues that most motivate you. The 2026 Legislative Session starts January 13th.

🔷 Tell Scott and Moody to Vote No on the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act threatens to disenfranchise tens of millions of U.S. citizens and effectively end all nonpartisan, nonprofit-led voter registration drives. Use this form from Nonprofit Vote to contact our two GOP Senators, and follow up with a phone call (Capitol Switchboard: 202.224.3121).

🔷 Find out what you can do to resist! Join us for the November BAM meeting on Thursday, November 13th, at 7 pm at the Adele Grage Community Center (716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach) for an urgent conversation on the state of our country, facilitated by a panel of academic experts. They will share their research, insights, and personal experience on what we can do individually and collectively to resist authoritarianism and restore democracy in Trump's remaining time in office. To help families impacted by the government shutdown, we'll be collecting nonperishable food items at the meeting for the Healthy Start program (see info below). RSVP, bring a friend, a food donation, and your questions!

RSVP HERE

Express Your Outrage Over the Budget "Deal"

A procedural vote in the Senate late last night --- backed by a handful of Democrats uneasy with the mounting impact of a prolonged government shutdown --- appears to clear the way for a spending measure to reopen the government without a guaranteed extension of Obamacare subsidies or any provisions curbing Trump's authoritarian overreach. 

The move comes despite last Tuesday's election results, which confirmed the GOP is bearing the blame for the shutdown and its effects. If passed, the compromise agreement would fund the government through January. A separate vote would be held on extending subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help people pay for health insurance --- a move the GOP-dominated House has steadfastly opposed. Floridians are facing eye-popping premium increases because of the loss of these subsidies, and many will decide to forego healthcare coverage as a result. Express your disgust with this terrible budget "deal!"

🔷  Call Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and tell them you are outraged about the weak budget deal that does nothing to fix healthcare costs and caves to an untrustworthy regime. It is past time for our elected representatives to actually work for their constituents.  Demand that they support the extension of the ACA subsidies. Regardless of how often you've called before, phone again (Capitol Switchboard: 202.224.3121) and follow up with an email.

🔷 Demand Rep. John Rutherford pay attention to the needs of his constituents and support the extension of the ACA subsidies. He's headed back to D.C. after a six-week hiatus, so you can reach him through the Capitol Switchboard too. And while you have his office on the line, tell him you haven't forgotten about the release of the Epstein files.  

Help Families on SNAP and WIC

BAM is joining Indivisible Mandarin and other area groups in collecting food, formula and

other needed items for families facing hunger because of the loss of SNAP and WIC benefits. Donated items will be distributed by the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition through its Hey, Mama Mobile Pantry and other community programs for expecting and new families in our area.  The organization provides home visiting and other services to thousands of vulnerable families --- nearly all dependent on SNAP and WIC --- each year. Two ways to donate:

🔷 Bring nonperishable food items to the BAM meeting thisThursday, November 13. You can find a list of needed items here (scroll down). We'll deliver to the organization for distribution to families.

🔷 Donate using Healthy Start’s Amazon Wish list. Items will be delivered directly to the organization for distribution.

Support the Barrio Walk Saturday, November 15th

Join the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) and its efforts to beat back ICE through the ground defense of our communities! Barrio Walks are a chance to connect directly with affected individuals through door-to-door Know Your Rights, ICE watch, and ICE documentation education. If you speak Spanish, it is a plus but it's not necessary. The next Barrio Walk takes place on Saturday, November 15th at 1 pm. RSVP here for details on how to participate.

Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Beaches are partnering to distribute Thanksgiving food baskets again this year to local families in the Beaches Community. The program is open to those living or working in the following zip codes: 32227, 32233, 32266, 32250, 32224, and 32082.

Find information and sign up to donate or receive a basket here. Donations will be collected from November 17th to 19th. BEAM is facing increased demand for services because of the GOP's refusal to fund anti-hunger programs during the federal government shutdown. Please join BAM in supporting this effort!

A Ballroom Bonanza

A "banquet of greed" is how a new report by Public Citizen describes the actions of 24 corporations that have "donated" money for the gaudy ballroom Trump is erecting where the East Wing of the White House stood for 123 years until he demolished it last month. The group has a petition you can sign to let these companies know what you think about their largesse. The conflicts of interest are jaw-dropping.

Duval DEMS Chili Cookoff!

Even though BAM'S entry didn't win top prize, progressives across the county came out winners at the Duval DEMS Chili Cookoff last weekend - with a good crowd of local elected officials, hopeful future candidates, and activists of all ages newly energized by last week's elections! Thanks to our great team of chili chefs, and congratulations to the winners, including the Beaches Democratic Club. We are ready for a rematch --- and a blue wave at the ballot box --- next year!