❌Stealing Our Vote - Action Alert, February 16, 2026
- beachesactivistmov
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Push Back on Partisan Redistricting Tuesday
Join us tomorrow (Tuesday, February 17) as we participate in a day of action with the No Partisan Maps Coalition opposing plans to redraw the state's congressional districts to further advantage the GOP. The peaceful protest will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. at 6006 Beach Boulevard (in front of Walgreens) in Jacksonville. Organized by Indivisible Mandarin, Beaches Activists Movement, other NEF Indivisible groups, and community partners as part of a statewide day of action in collaboration with 50501 National and Flare. RSVP and get more information here. We are calling out FL Rep. Jessica Baker, a member of the House Select Committee on Redistricting, and Sen. Clay Yarborough and urging them to say "NO" to partisan redistricting!
The National Redistricting Foundation is currently challenging the Governor's authority to call a special session on April 20th to reconfigure congressional districts in the state.
In Our Backyard: Recap & Resources
Last week's BAM meeting, featuring immigration attorney and advocate Andrea Reyes, was incredibly informative and timely! We learned about immigration enforcement tactics in Jacksonville and the importance of action by everyday people --- as demonstrated in Minneapolis --- in fighting the cruel and unconstitutional efforts of Trump and immigration enforcement agencies like ICE. We need to engage and prepare! Find a summary of her eye-opening presentation and suggestions for action here. Three things you can do now:
Advocate: Funding for the Department of Homeland Security ran out at midnight last Friday after the U.S.Senate voted down a stand-alone funding bill, triggering a partial government shutdown. Congress has gone home, while negotiations continue. We need to drive hundreds more calls to Congress to make sure Democrats keep up the fight to rein in ICE, and Republicans agree to a bill that protects our communities and civil rights. Call Rep. John Rutherford (904.831.5205), and Sens. Rick Scott (Tally office-we hear they answer the phone -- 850.942.8415) and Ashley Moody (904.354.4300) and tell them supermajorities of Americans think ICE and Border Patrol are out of control and want Congress to do something about it. Listen to your constituents!
Witness: Join efforts to implement the ACLU RAISE program in northeast Florida. Sign up for training as a legal observer and volunteer! Interested in watchdogging local government agreements with ICE? Sign up for BAM's Immigrant Action Group.
Support: Reach out and reassure immigrant families you know, and patronize immigrant businesses. Many families, even if they are documented, are terrified to leave their homes. Donate to organizations working for immigrant justice, including the Northeast Florida Immigrant Resource Alliance and Feeding Northeast Florida, which provides food to families who are afraid to leave their homes. Find other suggestions for organizations to support here.
Campaign to Expand Medicaid in FL Relaunched
In the wake of cuts to Obamacare subsidies and the devastating impact on state residents, Florida Decides Healthcare has relaunched a push to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot in 2028. Find out more and request a petition using this online portal today. You'll receive a blank petition to sign and a stamped, addressed envelope to return it to campaign organizers. Please share this link with your family and friends!
In other good news, the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society Action Network announced last week that they were joining forces to put the Medicaid expansion amendment on the Florida ballot in 2028.
Beaches' Singers! Join the Resistance
Singing Resistance Jax is hosting its first song circle on Thursday, February 19, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, 7405 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville. Resistance song circles are community gatherings that use music to foster solidarity and build courage against injustice, often in protest settings. All are welcome to join in this new effort! Get more information by messaging the group (Instagram). Joyful resistance!
No Kings 3 Needs You!
Be a part of the biggest mass action in Jacksonville's history! We need your time, talent and resources to make No Kings 3 bigger and better on March 28th. We are aiming for 10,000 participants at multiple events, culminating in a march and rally downtown. Please consider volunteering --- our priority right now is recruiting safety marshals and medical volunteers --- by signing up here. Want to do more? Consider joining the Peace Keepers, who we depend on to keep the event safe and secure. Complete this form for training on February 28th. You can also donate here to help defray the costs of the event in Jacksonville --- it will help us pay for equipment (sound system!), entertainment, and promotional activities.
NO KINGS is a nonviolent, peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration. We’re standing together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption. On March 28, we gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has no kings!
Happening this Week
Mayor Donna Deegan will hold a Town Hall on Thursday, February 19th, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Fletcher High School.
Beaches Democratic Club will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach.
Whole Lotta Love & (Hershey's) Kisses Too!
We had a whole lotta love --- and Hershey's kisses too --- at Saturday's Valentine's Day morning protest at the Beaches Library! Stop by next week and join us! 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. RSVP here.