Time to Make Good Trouble - Action Alert July 15, 2025

"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America."                                             - Representative John Lewis

Good Trouble Lives On - July 17

This week's Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action and remembrance on the fifth anniversary of John Lewis's death, honoring his legacy of activism in support of voting rights and justice for all. Here in Jacksonville, BAM is joining a host of local groups gathering together to remind ourselves and our community that, here in America, the power lies with the people. Come enjoy powerful speeches, great music, good company, and learn how you can get more involved with a wide range of groups working to make change here in Florida.  RSVP here.

Sound the Alarm Over Trump Budget Horrors 

While commentators and activists struggle to come to terms with the scale of the economic and human damage Republicans' passage of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will do, most agree that winning a mandate for change in 2026 will depend strongly on making sure the voting public understands the true impact of this ugly bill. In today's splintered news environment, that's a large challenge.  As this graphic shows, the challenge is even greater since the bill was engineered to postpone many of its most damaging impacts until after the Midterm elections.

Before passage, the bill was already highly unpopular. Now it's essential that we do our best to build on that base of knowledge and continue to speak out, engage neighbors and friends, and spread the truth about this bill. Three excellent sources for talking points and next steps: 

• Jen Rubin summarizes the impacts of HR 1 in a first, perfect paragraph.

• What if Turning the US Into an Immigration Police State is the point?

• Tell Stories, Show Up, Take Care of Each Other

Say No To This Week's Rescission Vote

With so many of the drastic cuts first ordered by DOGE facing successful court challenges, last month the Administration opted for a more conventional route to guarantee their desired cuts: HR4 - a Rescission Package detailing $9.4 billion in funding already approved by both Houses which, with Congressional approval, will never be spent.  The measure narrowly passed the House in June. This week it faces a crucial vote in the Senate.  If approved this week, this would bless the Administration's elimination of $1.1 billion from public broadcasting, $8.3 billion from foreign aid, and significantly undercut future bipartisan budget negotiations - which were originally required to approve these figures. Use 5 Calls to let both Senators Moody and Scott hear from you on this important vote. For more ways to go to bat for our local NPR & PBS stations click here. 

Stop Camp Blanding

Thanks to those who attended last Friday's protest outside the Federal Courthouse in Jacksonville to express their opposition to building a new ICE detention center at Camp Blanding along the same inhumane lines as the already infamous "Alligator Alcatraz" further south. Despite ICE's claims they are targeting immigrants with criminal histories, according to their own statistics, the AP reports that is not the case. As of June 29, the agency had detained 57,861 people, of whom 41,495 — 71.7% — had no criminal convictions. The most recent Gallup poll suggests the Administration's extreme treatment of immigrants has created a backlash, with even a majority of Republicans indicating this is not what they voted for.

This week offers another opportunity to support the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) in opposing the Camp Blanding facility. Next Saturday, July 19th they will hold a protest rally at 3 p.m. at the entrance to Camp Blanding, 5701 FL-16 in Starke. Be aware that this is a busy highway with no sidewalks or shade. You will be standing in the grass on the road. Nearby parking is limited to the shoulder of the highway.  Here are additional alternatives for participating:  

•  Carpool and find a safe place to leave your car in nearby Starke. Join with others to carpool from there to the protest site.

• Join with friends and organize a car caravan from Jacksonville to the protest site. Decorate your car, hang posters out the windows and honk your horn as you drive by the Camp Blanding entrance. Make several passes to show your support for protesters! This is the safest option for those who are concerned about conditions at the protest site, but still want to join in.

Finally, an organization in Gainesville has created a series of letters addressed to our political leaders about the proposed Camp Blanding facility.

• BAM is one of many organizations who have signed this community letter. Individual signatures are welcome, too. Click here to sign.

• This version is for faith leaders. Please encourage your congregations and spiritual institutions to sign on.