Join Us March 24 for the Empty Chair Town Hall
On Monday, March 24th, BAM will join other Indivisible groups and community organizations in hosting a Town Hall to discuss what is happening in Washington D.C. and the impact on this district. The meeting will be held in downtown Jax from 5:30 - 7 p.m. We have invited all the Members of Congress representing NE FL to attend -- either in person or virtually -- to speak and listen to their constituents. If they turn us down, we'll leave an empty chair for them. Let's send a clear message: we see what they’re doing, and we won’t back down.
Republicans in Congress are standing by while vital programs are gutted, dodging their constituents and hoping we won’t notice. But we plan to show up to demand real representation. It’s time to hold those in power accountable. It’s time to their fight for our healthcare, our jobs, and our community’s future. If they won’t show up, we will. Plan to attend and share your concerns! RSVP and get more info here. Need a ride? We are organizing a carpool from the Beach!
Dogging DOGE
Want to know what information Elon Musk and his DOGE initiative have collected on YOU? The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia just issued an injunction commanding DOGE to comply with citizen requests under the Freedom of Information Act. This law encompasses the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, which entitles any citizen to access their personal information held in any U.S. government records system. Use this fillable form to make your request. Requests must be made in writing, include your original signature (on the 2 blank lines on page 3), and send via snail mail. Let's swamp DOGE this week!
Meanwhile, plans to establish a Duval DOGE continue to move forward. Join us for a rally at City Hall tomorrow (Tuesday, March 18 at noon) to oppose City Council member Ron Salem's proposal, which has been appropriately characterized as a "farce." RSVP here and let us know if you want to carpool from the Beach.
Attacks Continue on Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives,
Public Schools
Efforts by the FL Legislature to kneecap the process for citizen-led ballot measures (HB 1205/SPB 7016) are moving quickly, despite significant pushback from advocacy groups. We must keep up the pressure. Florida legislators face a clear decision: protect the citizen-led amendment process and empower Floridians with the freedom to vote on the policies that govern their lives, or allow out-of-touch politicians to silence citizens. Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Will Robinson can stop these attacks by not scheduling these bills in Senate Fiscal Policy or House State Affairs. Click here for contact info and a message, and call them today --- this is a BAM legislative priority!
Action is also needed to stop SB 140, which makes it easier to convert public schools to charter schools, among other provisions designed to gut public education. The bill comes up for its first hearing today (Monday, March 17). Act now by signing this letter to the Senate Education Pre-K -12 Committee. Local Senators Tracie Davis and Clay Yarborough are members of this committee -- reach out to them too. Supporting strong public schools is a BAM legislative priority!
Act Now! Stop Book Bans in Jax Schools
Against book bans? Send a message to the Duval County School Board asking them to uphold the unanimous decision made by educators and parents on the Book Review Committee against a book ban request. Restricting access to literature undermines students' intellectual freedom, limits their ability to engage with diverse perspectives, and sets a dangerous precedent for education. Don't let Moms for Liberty and a vocal minority determine what our students are allowed to read! Join Duval County Public Schools families, teachers, and students to oppose the censorship and removal of books from our school libraries, including Identical by Ellen Hopkins.
BAM in Action!
NO DOGE FOR DUVAL! BAM members spoke out last week against a local proposal to mimic the DOGE initiative, an effort to dismantle key federal programs in the name of government efficiency. We'll be back at City Hall to rally against the proposal on Tuesday, March 18 at noon. Join us!
PIZZA & POSTCARDS - We completed more than 750 postcards, encouraging Beach voters to sign up for vote-by-mail, and promoting GOTV in the April 1st special election in Congressional District 6 at the February BAM meeting. Local songwriter Cathy Lee performed Questions, an original song, setting the perfect tone for the gathering! Our next meeting is Thursday, April 10th at Adele Grage.
FREEDOM TO VOTE - BAM joined local voting rights groups last Saturday for a rally opposing the decision by State Attorney Melissa Nelson to drop charges in the machete attack at the Beaches Library polling site last October. Nelson refused to meet with groups to discuss the precedent the decision sets in encouraging voter intimidation. Last Thursday, BAM members delivered a petition--with more than 600 signatures--requesting a review of the case to Nelson and the Duval County Legislative Delegation. The Duval Voting Rights Coalition has pledged to continue the fight to re-open the case.
More Things To Do!
Postcard for Josh Weil with the Beaches Dems - Join the Beaches Democratic Club on Tuesday, March 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, for a working meeting where they will elect a new Board of Directors and also write 500 postcards for Josh Weil, the Democrat running in Florida District 6. RSVP here.
UnHappy Hour - Wrap up Women's History Month at the second annual Unhappy Hour
commemorating Unequal Pay Day Thursday, March 20 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Odd BirdsCocktail Lounge & Kitchen, 200 Anastasia Blvd. in St. Augustine. Share your story about how unequal pay has affected you. Sponsored by Jax NOW, the AAUW-St. Augustine Branch, and the League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast. RSVP here, and let us know if you need a ride!
Remove, Reverse, Reclaim - Save the date for and join in the next nationwide action by 50501 on Saturday, April 5th at 11 a.m. at the Duval County Courthouse. The protest and rally is sponsored by Indivisible St. Johns County, Our Sister's Keeper and the Jax Queer Coalition. Check out the new 50501 Northeast Florida Facebook page!
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