The Keystone of Democracy - March 24, 2025 Action Alert

Destroying the Keystone of Democracy

Regardless of where they fell on the political spectrum, the Founding Fathers viewed public education as the keystone of democracy. Public education was not an afterthought of the

American Revolution but a core ideal. According to Thomas Jefferson, a general education system was the most effective way to protect the new nation from tyranny. Fast forward to today where we are witnessing a coordinated effort at all levels of government---national, state, and local---to dismantle public schools. Trump last week added his support to the plan, outlined in Project 2025, by signing an executive order abolishing the U.S. Department of Education in a move designed to restore state control and save dollars for billionaire tax cuts. Two weeks ago, the agency was gutted by the lay-off of half of its staff. Despite the executive order, eliminating the DOE requires an act of Congress, which could push back given widespread public opposition.

Without the Department of Education, millions of students and families will face immediate consequences. Public schools will struggle to maintain quality instruction as federal funding disappears, leaving states to decide how -- or if -- they will replace those dollars. It may also result in school closures across the country. The most brutal hit will be on students from lower-income families, those with disabilities, and those attending already underfunded schools. In Duval County, we have already experienced the impact of Florida's efforts to shift public education funding to charter, private, and religious schools. We have seen the results of state curricula mandates and cuts to programs for LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable students. Act today! This is not the first time the GOP has tried to abolish the DOE --- we have stopped them before. Here are two ways you can demand members of Congress choose students over Trump:

• Call Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, and Rep. John Rutherford. You can reach them through the Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Tell them to oppose any effort to abolish the DOE. They need to hear from us -- over and over again.

• Send this message, created by the ACLU, to Scott, Moody, and Rutherford urging them to protect our students and save the DOE now!

Join Us Monday for the Empty Chair Town Hall 

Republicans in Congress --- including our NEF delegation --- are standing by while vital programs are gutted, dodging their constituents and hoping we won’t notice. But we plan to show up tomorrow (Monday, March 24th) at 5:30 p.m. for a town hall at the IBEW Hall downtown to demand real representation. It’s part of a nationwide effort to hold those in power accountable. If they won’t show up, we will. Plan to attend and share your concerns! We'll be recording your comments and sending them to elected officials. RSVP and get more info here.  Need a ride? We are organizing a carpool from the Beach! Join us and speak out!

Beaches Polling Site Attack Update

Last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center sent an urgent request to the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, requesting a full investigation of the attack at the Beaches Library early voting site last fall, and the prosecution of those responsible. The request follows a decision by Melissa Nelson, the State Attorney for the 4th Judicial District, to drop charges in the case which involved a man threatening Harris supporters with a machete. While the request faces an uphill fight, given the state of the DOJ in the current administration, it calls attention to systemic failures to protect voters and others in and around polling sites in Jacksonville. The letter includes witness statements and a BAM-initiated petition with more than 600 signatures opposing the decision to drop charges and requesting a re-examination of the case. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, reached out to Nelson, and rallied with the Duval County Voting Rights Coalition, especially BAM member Kris Matson whose advocacy was unrelenting. 

More Things To Do!

Florida Legislature Week 4:Two bills, among many others, deserve your attention this week: 

• There will be a floor vote on HB 579 - Reducing the age for purchasing a firearm - on Wednesday, March 26. Contact Rep. Kiyan Michael and urge her to VOTE NO on HB 579.

• Last year, BAM advocated for workplace protections for children. The GOP doesn't give up! SB 918 would roll back key provisions. Send this message to members of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee urging them to vote NO on SB 918 when they hear the bill on Tuesday, March 25th. Two of our local Senators, Tracie Davis and Clay Yarborough, are on the committee.

Let's Flip the House!:Two opportunities to help flip Congressional seats in the April 1st special election in FL Districts 1 and 6:

• Join the Beaches Dems and friends on Friday, March 28th as they head to St. Augustine to canvass for Josh Weil. Meet at Culver's at 3433 US Highway 1 S, St. Augustine at 1 p.m. and GOTV!  RSVP here and the BDC will make sure you have turf!

• Also on Friday, March 28th at 6 p.m., you can meet Gail Valimont (D1) and Josh Weil (D6) via ZOOM as the Democratic Women's Clubs of Florida (DWCF) host a Power Hour Phone Bank! Be a PerSister! RSVP here.

Monthly SWIFT Call: Join Indivisible affiliates from across the state on Tuesday, March 25 at 5:30 p.m. for the monthly statewide collaboration call. RSVPhere.

Next Nationwide Day of Action! -Save the date and join in the next nationwide day of action on Saturday, April 5th at 11 a.m. at the Duval County Courthouse. The Remove, Reverse, Reclaim protest and rally is sponsored by 50501 and it's NEF affiliates, Indivisible St. Johns County, Our Sister's Keeper, and the Jax Queer Coalition. Check out the new 50501 Northeast Florida Facebook page!