✊Protect the Vote - Action Alert, September 7, 2026

beachesactivistmov
1 day ago
5 min read

"The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving.”

Gloria Steinem, 1934 - 2026, “Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem”

Election Threats: How We Protect the Vote

With less than 60 days left before the 2026 Midterm Elections, the Trump administration is doubling down on efforts to suppress the vote --- the latest target: vote-by-mail. A USPS whistleblower last week revealed continued work on plans to require states to provide voter lists for use in determining eligibility for receiving a ballot through the mail --- in defiance of a court order halting the effort. The attack on mail-in voting is just one of many election threats by Trump's federal government to keep Americans from voting and eligible votes from counting by overstepping its authority.

In response, voting rights groups are organizing unprecedented election protection efforts across the country, including Florida. Join us this Thursday, September 10^th, to learn more about the Florida Election Protection Coalition (FLEPC), their critical work during the August primary, and how you can help ensure voters' rights are protected in November. Our guest speaker is Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause-FL, one of the groups responsible for a statewide “boiler room” responding to reported election threats. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Adele Grage Community Center. RSVP today to participate in person or virtually. Members and non-members are welcome!

RSVP Now!

Inhumane Detention, Immigration Arrests: FL, Jax

Lead Summer Surge

Florida and Jacksonville are at the epicenter of a summer surge in immigration enforcement activities, with arrests reaching record levels, according to the Deportation Data Project. Nearly 50,000 arrests --- including a record-high number of people without criminal records --- were made in July. More than half of these arrests came from four states: Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.

Those arrested face inhumane conditions at detention centers, including at "Deportation Depot" in nearby Baker County, where 50 detainees recently launched a hunger strike to protest serious concerns about food, medical care, and their treatment.

In Florida, where state law requires local sheriffs to collaborate with ICE, federal agents made almost four times as many street arrests in June and July compared to the average over the previous six months. The increase was the highest in Jacksonville, where average monthly arrest totals rose from 15 to 165 (up 976%) this summer. Miami saw an average of 715 per month in June and July, up from 115 (up 524%). Of note, these data do not include arrests made through 287(g) programs, some of which happen in communities during routine policing.

We need to keep up the fight to protect our immigrant neighbors! Duval Indivisibles, including BAM, have worked over the last year to mobilize volunteer legal observers as part of the ACLU RAISE initiative. The statewide hotline, however, remains underutilized in NE Florida, forcing local volunteers to rely on alternative sources for information about ICE activities, which has delayed response times and caused a lot of frustration. But we are not giving up! Duval RAISE has refocused its efforts on promoting the hotline, distributing Know Your Rights cards and resource information, promoting ACLU training to increase awareness, and providing mutual aid and support to families impacted by immigration enforcement. Activists are also monitoring known "hot spots" throughout the city. Want to get involved?

Attend the press conference tomorrow (Tuesday, September 8) at 5:30 p.m. outside the federal courthouse and help call attention to conditions at Deportation Deport. A coalition of immigrant rights, churches, and social justice groups is involved in the event.
Check out mutual aid and other opportunities organized by the Micah Project of NEFL. The group needs volunteers to help deliver food and supplies to immigrant families. It also does a monthly protest at the Baker Detention Center. The next one is Saturday, September 19th.
Sign up for the BAM Immigrant Justice Action Group and watch for an update soon.

A Big Something Burger

FL Attorney General James Uthmeier called it a "big nothingburger," but the misappropriation of $10 million in Medicaid funding intended for sick children through Hope Florida is rightly threatening to upend the midterm elections thanks to a leaked Grand Jury report. You know it is bad when FL Senator Rick Scott, who oversaw one of the biggest cases of Medicare fraud as a health care executive, piled on, calling the report "deeply concerning."

The fingerprints of both Uthmeier and Ashley Moody are all over the illegal scheme. Both were rewarded handsomely by DeSantis for their efforts with plum appointments to the AG spot and the U.S. Senate. But both will face voters in November. FL DEMS, meanwhile, are demanding further investigations and questioning the decision not to press charges. Take a minute this week to share your views on the report and the roles played by Uthmeier and Moody in this unconscionable theft --- click on their names to send an email or call their offices (Uthmeier - 850.414.3300; Moody - Jax Office: 904.354.4300). Note that we could not find a direct email to the AG, a publicly elected official, so you will be submitting a "complaint" if you use this link. Hold them accountable!

Flock Camera Update

Following action by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office last week, the Atlantic and Neptune Beach Police Departments suspended their use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) within their municipalities. The Jacksonville Beach Police Department has announced it will continue to use Flock cameras, but indicated it is open to tightening its guidelines in response to public concerns. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition urging the three Beach cities to evaluate their use of ALPRs and underscoring the importance of protecting the privacy rights of residents. We've updated the petition --- please consider signing it (if you have not already done so) to advocate for changes to the Jax Beach policies.

Remembering 9/11

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center and the crash of Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field, where the heroic actions of 40 passengers prevented an attack on the U.S. Capitol. Here are two ways you can be a part of the commemoration:

Watch. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 11, Disney and its affiliates, in partnership with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will air "9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan," commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The event will be broadcast on ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, ABC Owned Television Stations livestreams, and ABC News Live.
Serve. 911 Day, a voluntary organization co-founded by the brother of a 9/11 victim, is sponsoring a campaign to generate 1 million good deeds in observance of the 25th anniversary. You can pick your own good deed or have one assigned to you. Check out the website and pledge.

RAISE HOTLINE: 1-888-600-5762

Have you recently seen, interacted with, been detained, or know someone impacted by ICE? Call the hotline. Alert local Legal Observers and connect detainees with assistance and resources. Email us to learn more about how you can help!