They're Baaaack - Action Alert, April 13, 2026
- beachesactivistmov
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
They're Baaaack: State Pushes Gerrymandering, Congress Maneuvers War Powers & ICE Funding
The Florida Legislature heads back to Tallahassee for a special session aimed at further gerrymandering the state's congressional districts on Monday, April 20th, and voting rights advocates will be there to greet them. Join the No Partisan Maps Coalition for a mass mobilization to the Florida State Capitol to rally and then attend committee hearings. Bus seats from Jacksonville are available for the free day-long round-trip. Email us if you want to carpool from the Beach to the bus pick-up site. Can't make the trip? There are plenty of other ways to take action this week! A reminder that the Supreme Court has not issued the ruling FL Gov. Ron DeSantis gave as an excuse for redrawing the state's congressional map, and the Legislature has still not adopted a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Priorities?
Meanwhile, Congress returns to D.C. this week after a two-week break. Senate DEMs are poised to force yet another vote on a War Powers Resolution in the wake of a tenuous ceasefire, genocidal threats, and failed negotiations with Iran. At the same time, the House GOP is maneuvering to circumvent the DEMs' refusal to approve additional ICE and Border Patrol funding without much-needed guardrails by using budget reconciliation. While this process only needs a majority vote for passage, it requires additional budget cuts to offset new expenditures. In the crosshairs are funding for safety net programs and healthcare, as well as the threat of adding voter suppression measures and funding for the Iran war. You know the drill. Action you can take this week:
Demand FL Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody support a war powers resolution to exert Congress's constitutional authority over military conflict and refuse to pass any supplemental funding for this unauthorized military action. Reach them through the Capitol switchboard (202.224.3121) or click on their names to email them.
Tell Rep. John Rutherford to oppose any effort to fund ICE and CBP, and the Iran War, using the budget reconciliation process. The people he represents need healthcare, not warfare or cruel immigration enforcement. Reach him through the Capitol switchboard or email him by clicking on his name. Extra credit: Remind Rutherford about the Pope's statements opposing the war and the treatment of immigrants by the U.S.
Follow up by sending this letter to Scott, Moody, and Rutherford.
Find Out More About Election Protection Efforts
All Voting is Local has launched a monthly non-partisan Defending Democracy
Mobilization Call on the third Wednesday of each month until late July, and then bi-
weekly through the November 4th general election. The call will focus on practical election protection: voter registration, spotting/responding to purges, and rapid response, de-escalation, and mobilization if access to the ballot is threatened. This is a space for organizers, protest leaders, and community folks to connect the dots, align strategy, and actually move together. RSVP here to participate.
All Voting is Local Florida and Over Zero are sponsoring a training on Election Violence Prevention on Thursday, April 16 at noon. The virtual session will explore practical strategies for proactively responding to risks of election violence. RSVP here to join the call.
Visit BAM at Arts in the Park April 18th
BAM will have a table at the annual Arts in the Park gathering in Atlantic Beach on Saturday, April 18th in beautiful Johansen Park. We'll be handing out information on voting and the mid-term elections, recruiting people for our local ACLU RAISE project, signing up new members, and more! Stop by and say hello. It is always a fun voter outreach and community-building event!
Getting into the Heads of Voters
BAM members and friends enjoyed an engaging and informative presentation at our April
meeting last week! Dr. Sean Freeder, director of the UNF Public Opinion Research Lab, shared information from national and state polls on what voters are concerned about and factors likely to impact the midterm elections. Top of mind for voters: "affordability" by an overwhelming margin. Good news for the midterms: the U.S. House is likely to revert to Democratic control. Freeder's advice:
Keep organizing & showing up. No Kings protests won't change politicians, but they will change people.
Get out the vote. Focus on turnout, particularly in states with competitive seats.
Welcome wavering Trump voters. Some Independents and moderates are having second thoughts.
Check in with your kids & grandkids. It's a tough time for young people, and they need our support.
Maintain your sanity. Take a break from the news and quit arguing with strangers on the internet!
Thanks to everyone --- particularly the first-timers --- who joined us! Mark your calendars --- BAM meets on the second Thursday of the month. Email us if you have program ideas and suggestions for speakers.
Saturday's Beaches Library Protest!
Goosebumps of the Week
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!
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