"Our levers of power may be slower to work, but work they can, and work they will. I know this moment in history is scary—it really is!—but I’m telling you, we can prevail if we work together, trust in our strength, and refuse to give up. So let’s do that!"
Time to Speak Out!
After less than one full month in office, Donald Trump and his unelected co-President Musk have taken our breath away with the speed and scale of their assaults on democracy. It's time to make our commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of law visible. This newsletter is packed with actions to take here and now. Choose the ones that call to you and Do Something this week.
March in the MLK Parade this President's Day
Join NOW, Moms Demand, Duval Dems, and other allies in honoring the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King at the rescheduled MLK Parade on Presidents Day, Monday, February 17.
The parade will start and end at EverBank Stadium. Parking is available in Stadium Lot Z. Jax NOW, Moms Demand & other local friends will be gathering in Lot Z by 9:00 a.m. Once everyone's assembled, the parade will start at 10:30 a.m.
Remember to wear your progressive gear and join us in this joyful resistance. Register with Duval DEMS here, or email Nancy Staats if you're interested in a ride from the Beach. More ways to honor Dr. King:
Support the Brentwood Neighborhood - Brentwood 300 Rally & March on Saturday, February 22 at 11 a.m. to fight against a morgue in the neighborhood and advocate for the facility to be repurposed as a skill center.
Help 2 Florida Dems Wake Up the US House - Our friends at Mandarin Indivisible have beautifully outlined the stakes, the candidates and ways to impact the April 1 special election to fill two formerly Republican seats in Congress. Typically low turnout in special elections means victory is possible even in gerrymandered districts. In addition to the items on Mandarin's list, consider joining the FDP and the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida as they sponsor a virtual phone bank Feb 25, 6-7:30 to reach out to Black voters in these 2 House Districts. Signing them up for Vote by Mail could help tip the balance of power in Congress.
President's Day Protest - Tell Congress This Recess is No Vacation!
The U.S. Congress is in recess this coming week - which means our Representative John Rutherford will be in town. Take advantage of this chance to demonstrate your views on how things are going in Washington - and let's celebrate Presidents Day with a giant protest after the MLK Parade.
Whether You March or Not, CALL!
Unhappy about an unelected billionaire gutting the federal government with no accountability? The sudden death of USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? The Senate's rubber stamping of unqualified and destructive Cabinet nominees? The fact that Congress is raising no objections to the illegal coup rapidly dismantling our nation's system of checks & balances? The people who need to hear from you most are our elected representatives.
Hold Rutherford Accountable: While John Rutherford is in town, make it your business to call his office daily. Ask for a personal meeting, or the date of his (not) planned Town Hall. Why won't he face his constituents? Tell him what you think of last week's draft 2025 Budget - bulging with tax breaks for billionaires at the expense of health care & food programs for our most vulnerable. Tell him that budget merits a NO! JAX: 904-831-5205, DC: 202-225-2501. For more on how to make this recess week count, check out Indivisible's Musk or Us guide.
Tell the Senate No: The Senate is taking only Monday off this week, which means they will be back to approving unqualified Cabinet picks by Tuesday. But they work for us. Click here for good reasons Not to put Kash Patel in charge of the FBI. And as Russell Vought, RFK, Bondi and Gabbard begin their destructive tenures, follow Indivisible's advice and "make those votes haunt them," by calling often. Senator Scott: (202) 224-5274 ; Senator Moody: (202) 224-3041.
Download 5 Calls: This app created by a husband & wife team during the first Trump administration offers phone connections & suggested scripts that make it easy to make 5 calls a day. Try it for a week and you'll be hooked. Going from 40 calls an hour to over 1600 got everyone's attention. Let's keep it up. More info here.
Meet the Digital Democracy Project: The Digital Democracy Project Team will be in Jacksonville on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, 6-7:30pm at the IBEW Union Hall to demonstrate the use of their free mobile App & that compares what voters want to what legislators deliver in real time. It could be a good way to engage our voters with what's going on in Tallahassee during the upcoming Legislative session. Click here to register.
Action Closer to Home: FL Legislature Prep
After a strange blizzard of Special Sessions, the regular Florida Legislative session will begin on March 4. Time to get briefed:
Monday, February 17 at 6:00 pm, Rep. Anna Eskamani will host a Virtual Workshop for the 2025 Legislative Session. Register here.
Thursday, February 20 at 6:00 pm, Zoom call with Planned Parenthood Florida on the fight for reproductive freedom here, including supporting bills to expand care, stopping an outright abortion ban, and how you can help. Register here.
Friday, February 21 at 11:00 am, Legislative Preview with Senator Tracie Davis hosted by Jax NOW and BAM. RSVP for Zoom link.
Subscribe to Legislative Alerts from the ACLU of Florida.
Honor BAM's Founder Althea Lachicotte
Retired attorney and full time firebrand Althea Lachicotte launched BAM with a smallgroup of friends less than a month after Trump's 2016 election. Thanks to her vision and energy, that initial handful of concerned citizens has grown to an organization of more than 600 people with a strong and continuing commitment to political activism. As we've reported before in this newsletter,Althea diedlast November at the age of 88, and her family is planning a Celebration of Life in her hometown of Camden, S.C. later this spring.
In gratitude and memory of Althea, the BAM Board recently decided to make a contribution toJacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA)in her memory. JALA was one of Althea's favorite charities. To add your own contribution to BAM's donation,click here. Any donations made this week will be included in BAM's memorial gift.
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