Controlling the Weather

Thankfully, northeast Florida was spared the worst of Hurricane Milton, the second major storm to hit Florida in two weeks. We are grateful for the extensive preparations and clear
guidance issued by Mayor Donna Deegan and the City of Jacksonville, and local officials in the three Beach cities. Their primary focus was on meeting the needs and ensuring the welfare of all area residents. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the GOP's presidential candidate, a Republican party notable, and the right-wing trolls of social media who saw the storms as an opportunity to assail their opponents while spreading dangerous disinformation and lies. The most deranged of all was GA Sen. Marjorie Taylor Greene's assertion that Democrats were controlling the weather and directing storms to red states to affect the outcome of the election. Greene, a vocal climate change denier, doubled down when rebuked by President Biden and members of her own party. Trump, meanwhile, accused the federal government of directing aid to illegal immigrants rather than victims of the storm --- among other outright lies that led to death threats for aid workers and disrupted recovery efforts--- prompting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to add a "Rumor Response" page to its website. FL Governor Ron DeSantis couldn't resist politicizing the storms either, rebuffing Vice-President Kamala Harris when she reached out as Milton bore down on the state, and attributing the storm to the "hurricane season" rather than global warming in its aftermath. No surprise since he signed a bill last spring that deletes any reference to climate change in state law.
Climate concerns will impact the November election as more than a third of registered voters consider themselves "pro-climate" voters, and an additional 25% say they prefer candidates who support climate action even though it is not their top priority. If this issue moves you to take action, join Climate Action Now and the League of Conservation Voters on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. as they launch a letter-writing campaign to voters across the country. As the groups note, action is the antidote to climate despair! You can learn more and register here. And while we escaped the brunt of Milton, many of our fellow Floridians did not. If you want to contribute toward hurricane recovery, consider this list of vetted organizations.
More Taxpayer $$ Used to Defeat Amendment 4
On the heels of a sweetheart deal between the state and the Florida Association of Broadcasters (FAB) to air anti-abortion "public service" announcements, the Florida
Department of Health is now threatening to prosecute TV stations for running an ad supporting the Amendment 4 ballot measure codifying access to abortion in the state constitution. Gov. Ron DeSantis is hell-bent on defeating the amendment, despite the fact that more than 1 million voters signed petitions to get it on the ballot and a majority of Floridians oppose the state's current six-week abortion ban. For a great overview of state tactics, check out BAM Board member and Jax NOW veep Nancy Staats's Sunday op-ed piece debunking state claims.
Amendment 4 faces an uphill battle for passage. Besides the state's threats and disinformation campaign, the measure requires approval by 60% of voters --- among the highest thresholds in the country. Help get out the vote to support abortion access and take action this week:
Postcard!: Although our October 22 postcard event for Amendment 4 is at capacity, the Beaches DEMS are using their monthly meeting to send an additional 1000 postcards on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30 p.m. to 'cool Dems' and NPA women 24 - 60 years old who signed the abortion petition. The meeting, which will be held at Southern Swells, will also feature an update by Millie Leeds, Harris Campaign Youth & Young American Field Director. RSVP here.
Canvass, Phonebank, Text & More: Yes on 4! has weekly opportunities to canvass in Jacksonville, phonebank, text, and more. Get information on what's happening locally and statewide, and sign up here.
Down to the Wire! Help GOTV
Drum Roll, Please! The BAM & Beaches DEMS Saturday Brunch-time Phone Bank has exceeded 3,000 calls! Join us this Saturday from the comfort of your own home via ZOOM as we call Duval Democrats and urge them to make a plan to vote for Harris/Walz. Training starts at 11:00 a.m. and we get down to it from 11:15 to 12:30 p.m. Fun guaranteed! Click here to register. Help us reach 5,000!
Canvass at the Beach! Join the Beaches Democratic Club, Beaches Activists Movement, and all of our like-minded friends EVERY WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY until the election as we focus on 2,000 'cool' dems --- aka sporadic voters --- who may need a little help Making a Plan to Vote. Our fantastic door hangers will tell them all the candidates, amendment positions, judges - so they can vote the full slate and keep Duval Blueval!! Click on the day to sign up, find times & locations & get training.
Neighbor 2 Neighbor: Meet your neighbors and get-out-the-vote at the same time with Indivisible's relational organizing effort, Neighbor 2 Neighbor. Click here to get a list of voters near you who share your views and priorities!
Flip House District 16: Send a like-minded voice to Tallahassee! Canvass for Rachel Grage! Sign-up to knock on doors in neighborhoods throughout her district here.
Support BAM's Social Media Outreach: Help GOTV by contributing to BAM's targeted social media campaign during Early Voting! With your support, we can reach 100,000+ voters who share our priorities and urge them to vote! Click the DONATE button here.
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