Help Over Hate: Supporting Immigrants
BAM is joining Indivisible affiliates nationwide to organize service projects on Inauguration Day/MLK Weekend. This effort is designed to stand in stark contrast to MAGA’s hate-filled Project 2025 agenda—to rally together to help the people who are most likely to be targeted under Trump’s extreme agenda, uplift our communities, and grow our movement. Each act of service, no matter how small -- is a declaration of hope and a commitment to the fight ahead of us.
BAM’s project is to organize a donation drive for Lutheran Social Service’s Refugee Services program and to offer some hands-on support at the program’s warehouse facilities. Last year, this program helped more than 2,500 immigrants fleeing violence and war relocate and find employment in northeast Florida. Among those assisted were refugees from Haiti, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Haitians, you will recall, were vilified and turned into political fodder by the Trump campaign during the 2024 election. We can't think of a more fitting way to mark his inauguration.
You can get involved in two ways: by donating needed household items to the resettlement program and/or by joining us to volunteer for 1-2 hours at the LSS warehouse. Find out how to donate or volunteer here.
Here are more ways to resist and honor Dr. Martin Luther King in the upcoming week:
Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast - Friday, January 17th from 7 - 8 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The 38th annual event, hosted by the City of Jax, the Jacksonville Branch NAACP, the Jacksonville Urban League, and the JAX Chamber, celebrates "Audacious Faith in the Future.” Get information and purchase tickets here.
People's March for Equality and Women’s Rights - Saturday, January 18th from 10 am - 2 pm. Organized by the Women's March of Jacksonville, the event will start at the corner of San Pablo Road and Beach Boulevard for a six-mile loop. Click here for details.
MLK Day Parade - Monday, January 20th from 9 am - 1 pm. Join our partners Jax NOW, Moms Demand Action, and the Duval DEMS among others marching in the annual MLK Day Parade. Groups will assemble at Everbank Field, Parking Lot J, and march to the Prime Osborn Convention Center. For information on parking and the parade route, click here.. Email us if you want to carpool from the Beach.
January BAM Meeting: Finding Hope in Dark Times
Where can we find inspiration for advocacy and action during dark times? In our own backyard! That was the message of Dr. Scott Matthews, guest speaker at last week's BAM meeting. Matthews, an FSCJ history professor, and Atlantic Beach resident, gave an inspiring and engaging talk on a successful campaign led primarily by women to stop the egregious pollution damage done by the government and industry in Northeast Florida. Parallels to the present day were not lost on the 50+ people in attendance, who discussed the importance of collective action in countering the disappointing outcome of the 2024 election. If you missed the meeting, you can find a recording of Matthews' remarks here and slides here. It is definitely worth viewing!
Mark your calendar for BAM's next meeting on February 13th when we will focus on the 2025 Florida Legislative session.
We Were All In!
The election results were not what we hoped --- and worked so hard --- for, but our efforts were not in vain. BAM successfully built and strengthened our voter outreach, networks, and community partnerships. If you were part of it --- postcarding, attending meetings, contributing funding, knocking on doors, making calls, waving signs, or talking to family and friends --- thank you! Enjoy this video review of BAM's projects, programs, and activities in 2024, and join us in resisting Trump 2.0!
Important Virtual Meetings this Week
Make Meaning of the Moment
On Tuesday, January 14 at 8 pm ET, Indivisible is teaming up with Public Citizen, Working Families Party, and MoveOn for a mass call to take a look at the upcoming confirmation hearings and help us figure out how to effectively fight the confirmation of Trump's worst cabinet picks as those hearings get serious.
The U.S. Judiciary and Democratic Backsliding: Perspectives on the Role of Courts in Autocratic Governments
On Thursday, January 16 at 1 pm ET, join the Center for American Progress and Court Accountability for a virtual event on the connection between courts and authoritarian movements at home and around the world.
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