🌟Joy in Resistance - Action Alert, December 22, 2025
- beachesactivistmov
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Finding Joy in Resistance
As we gather with family and friends for the holidays, let's take a moment to celebrate our success in building a resistance movement against efforts to dismantle democracy. Across the country, in states and communities, we organized, collaborated, and inspired one another. We held elected officials accountable and demanded action. Even in the darkest days of this challenging year, we called, emailed, signed petitions, and attended meetings. We were part of three of the largest political protests in U.S. (and Jacksonville!) history. We refused to give up and lose hope, despite an unending barrage of attacks on our freedoms, our institutions, our rights, and our collective psyche.
Find joy in resistance this holiday season! The tide is starting to turn. Sinking GOP poll numbers, DEM election wins (even in Florida!), cracks in the MAGA base, favorable judicial challenges, and Trump's growing vitriol, anger, and desperation are a few of the things that give us hope for 2026. You made a difference. Thank you for engaging, supporting, and taking action with BAM! We're ready to work in 2026!
Schools of Nope
What began as a promise to “help struggling schools” in 2017, Florida's Schools of Hope has metastasized into a state-sanctioned pipeline for corporate charter expansion. Originally intended to allow certain charter schools to operate in areas with low-performing public schools, amendments to the law passed by the Legislature in 2025 now permit the private companies to take over space at any public school that’s under capacity, regardless of whether it is high- or low-performing. Local school districts pick up the costs. Other changes to the law give charter operators access to student data systems, raising privacy concerns.
In Duval County, School Board members are divided --- despite pressure from parents --- on how to respond and whether to add repeal of the co-location law to their list of legislative priorities. Three charter school companies have already submitted letters of intent to use dozens of facilities in the county.
Support public education and the Schools of Nope campaign! Join Families for Strong Public Schools and other advocacy groups in pushing back against this latest effort to kneecap public education in Florida:
▶️ Send this message urging FL Senator Clay Yarborough and Representative Kiyan Michael to repeal the 2025 co-location amendments and restore local control of public schools.
▶️ Demand Duval County School Board members make the repeal of the co-location amendments a legislative priority in 2026. The Board will consider amending its legislative platform to address Schools of Hope at its meeting on January 6th at 6 pm, 1701 Prudential Drive. Sign up here to attend and speak out.
▶️ Join BAM members and friends on Thursday, January 8th, for Standing Up for Florida's Public Schools: Organizing to Protect Students, Teachers & Communities, 7 pm, Adele Grage Community Center, with special guest Katie Hathaway, regional organizer for Families for Strong Public Schools. We'll be postcarding state legislators and finding out more about Schools of Hope and other threats to public education in advance of the upcoming legislative session. RSVP below.
Save the Date! Community Education Forum on Fake Clinics
Join the Youth Action Fund, Reclaim Choice, and Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, January 13th for an in-depth presentation on crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) and the role they play in Florida. The forum will cover key bills lawmakers will debate this legislative session and provide details on advocacy opportunities. There will also be a Q&A with leading voices in reproductive rights and access to reproductive health care. The forum will be held at Neptune House, 510 Florida Blvd., Neptune Beach from 6:30 - 8 pm. RSVP here.
Need a Last Minute Gift Idea? Buy a BAM T-Shirt!
New BAM t-shirts are the perfect gift for that hard-to-please friend or relative! Click the button below, and we'll send you information on sizes, payment options, and pickup. What better way to show your support for the movement and engage more people in RESISTING at the Beach. The perfect gift for a donation of $25!
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