Two Wins🎉& More To DO! - Action Alert, September 29, 2025
- beachesactivistmov
- Sep 28
- 5 min read
Two Wins to Celebrate!
Let's take a minute to celebrate two wins that came last week as a result of the advocacy of BAM members and many others: Jax City Councilman Rory Diamond did not get his "big, beautiful amendment" on DEI, immigrants, and abortion inserted into the final city budget,
and Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air!
The final vote denying Diamond his divisive and inappropriate amendment ended a marathon 13-hour council meeting that cut property taxes by 1/8 mill and reduced the 2025-26 budget by $13.5 million. BAM member Kris Matson, who spoke out against the amendment and millage cut, was buoyed by the overflow crowd and the eloquent arguments made by Nancy Staats (BAM & Jax NOW), Katie Hathaway (Moms Demand Action & Families for Strong Public Schools), Wells Todd (Take Em Down Jax), Leslie Scott Jean-Bart (ACLU), and former elected officials Sen. Audrey Gibson and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown. Diamond is not giving up, though, and has vowed to introduce his "anti-woke" policies again in a separate bill.
"It was a privilege to participate in the process and worth enduring the epic evening to witness and remember who on the council stands with families and students," Matson said. "Jax is filled with a lot of compassionate and caring people, and many of our council members aren't worthy of representing them," added Dr. Staats.
Meanwhile, faced with consumer backlash and protests from both the left and the right, it took Disney/ABC less than five days to return late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to the air. In the process, we got a case study in the power of collective action --- one that bears repeating. Thanks to everyone who stood up for free speech last week by contacting Disney/ABC and/or cancelling your subscriptions to their streaming services. And thanks to Kimmel for not pulling his punches in his return monologue! Let's celebrate our wins by:
Thanking the Jax City Council members who stood fast in support of the Mayor's budget proposal and against Diamond's amendment. Find contact info and messaging here.
Telling Disney/ABC what you think about their decision and the importance of protecting free speech and the First Amendment. Find the comment form here.
Government Shutdown Looms:
Hold the GOP Accountable!
The government is two days away from shutting down, and let's be clear about who's
responsible: Donald Trump and the GOP. Trump cancelled a scheduled meeting with Democratic leaders to negotiate funding and is threatening mass firings if a shutdown occurs. Congressional Republicans are refusing bipartisan discussions on extending Obamacare subsidies that 22 million people rely on for their healthcare coverage --- aiding and abetting Trump's threats. We need to hold them accountable.
Over one in five Floridians depend on an ACA Marketplace plan to secure healthcare coverage. This means Florida will be the state most harmed if subsidies supporting those policies are allowed to expire by the end of the year --- more than 1.4 million are expected to lose coverage. Additionally, Florida is also among the top five states in terms of the number of federal workers who live here and will be impacted by threatened workforce reductions.
Take a minute to remind our senators -- Rick Scott and Ashley Moody -- what's at stake. Remind them that THEY own the shutdown if the GOP doesn't come up with concessions on healthcare subsidies and other spending proposed by the Democrats. Remind them that federal lay-offs will hurt Floridians. Call (202.224.3121) them TODAY and demand they commit to a bipartisan funding process. Every call reflects 100-1000 angry constituents, according to congressional insiders! Here's a script you can adapt and use.
No Kings Day 2 is October 18th
Volunteers Needed!
No Kings Day 2 on October 18th promises to be even bigger and better than the first national day of action in June! BAM is joining 50501 NEFL and more than 20 other groups in organizing a host of activities to demonstrate our opposition to the authoritarian assault on our democracy. We're planning caravans from throughout Jacksonville -- including the Beach -- that will converge at Friendship Fountain for a march to a gathering at the courthouse downtown. Mark your calendar now and plan to be a part of any or all of the planned events!
BAM needs volunteers! Step up your involvement and help us make No Kings Day 2 a success! Volunteer opportunities include:
Safety Marshals: Safety Marshals are needed to assist Peacekeepers who are responsible for maintaining order and the safety of event participants. Volunteer responsibilities include: making sure participants march safely from one location to another; keeping an eye out for counter-protesters and alerting the Peacekeepers of any issues (not confronting or rebuking), and handing out water. Sign up with a friend! Safety Marshals work in pairs. Training will be provided before the event.
Caravan Helpers: We need help coordinating activities at the caravan assembly site from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on October 18th. This includes helping participants decorate their cars and passing out route information.
Table Volunteers at the Rally: Help set up and staff the BAM table at the courthouse rally from 3 - 5 p.m. on No Kings Day 2. Sign up for an hour or more!
Use this form to sign up! We need YOU!
Get Info and RSVP for No Kings 2 Events & Activities!
Redistricting Day of Action, Saturday, October 4th
The Florida League of Women Voters (LWV) will host a Redistricting Day of Action on Saturday, October 4th, to push back against an unprecedented effort by the Florida Legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts in the middle of the decade, further gerrymandering the state. Members and non-members are welcome to participate! Two events are planned locally to prepare cards opposing this effort and reminding elected officials of all the pressing issues that should be their priority rather than overtly partisan redistricting:
10:30 am - Noon at Bradham and Brooks Library (1755 Edgewood Ave W. Jacksonville)
1:00 - 3:00 pm at Orange Park Library (2054 Plainfield Ave, Orange Park)
Cards, suggested messages, and all other needed material will be provided at the sites. Bring your family and friends! The cards will be hand-delivered to members of the legislative delegation in NEFL. Register here by Thursday, October 2 to participate. Can't attend? Complete the form, and the LWV will get you the material. Let us know if you want to carpool to the Bradham and Brooks meeting!
October Membership Meeting
Join us for our October 9th Membership Meeting!
For this meeting ONLY, we are meeting at a different location with more space and parking --- Neptune House in Jarboe Park!
Please bring your own poster board -- we have markers and everything else you need to get ready for No Kings Day 2!
Order Your BAM T-Shirt Now!
New BAM t-shirts are here just in time for No Kings Day 2 protests! Click the button below and we'll send you information on sizes, payment options, and pickup. What better way to show your support for the movement and to let people know progressives are alive and well, and RESISTING at the Beach. Get yours for a donation of $25.
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