Indivisible Jax Riverside Newsletter
IJR Pro-Democracy Weekly | June 23
Newsletter IJR June 30 2025
Welcome Indivisible Jax Riverside Community!
Your voice matters.
This newsletter attempts to keep you informed on pro-democracy news, events, and actions.
JOHN LEWIS, VOTING RIGHTS and BRIDGES. July 17, Good Trouble Lives on!
60 years ago, March 7, 1965 John Lewis and Hosea Williams attempted to lead 600 marchers from Selma to Montgomey to demand Civil Rights for Black Americans. This first attempt was met with violence from Alabama State Troopers. The attack on the demonstrators resulted in 58 people being treated for injuries at the hospital, including John Lewis who was organizing for voting rights. Lewis, who was 25 at the time, suffered a skull fracture. He went on to serve as a member of Congress representing Georgia for over 30 years. Lewis died 5 years ago on July 17th, 2020.
John Lewis' legacy lives on! July 17 will see nationwide demonstrations, rallies and teach-ins honoring his commitment to civil rights, equity and social justice. John Lewis is well-known for championing voting rights. The 1965 attack on demonstrators by State Troopers helped galvanize public opinion in support of passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Yet, Voting Rights are still under attack. Bills making voting more difficult have been passed in many states, including attempts in Florida. Trump attempted to roll back access to voting with an executive order and the US House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act this year. This horrible bill restricts voting access by severly restricting the ability to register to vote.
We will be having a local action as part of the national GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON! campaign on July 17. More details as they firm up, but look for an evening event perhaps in the 5pm-8pm time range. Event will likely take place either in Riverside or Eastside. Save the date and time. Will provide more information as it become available.
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act 2025 vs. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act 2025. Two bills in Congress with very different aims. Here is an opinion piece from MSNBC comparing the two. Naming things: The "SAVE Act" is more aptly called the Silencing Americans Act.
PUBLIC SCHOOL DEFENDERS Demand DCPS Board Represent ALL Students July 1, 5:30 pm Rally
Enough is Enough! It’s time to push back against the elimination of DEI policies, book banning, and the attempt to remove Duval County’s membership in the Council of Great City Schools. Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to rally for the right of every child in the DCPS school system to have a safe, well-funded, and inclusive education—regardless of race, background, identity, ability or zip code.
Rally begins at 5:30pm—arrive early and bring a sign! Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Katie Hathaway with Duval Public School Defenders is interviewed on News4Jax about the uncoming rally.
ACT Now. One Big Budget Bomb
Needs Difusing
"After advancing their Medicaid-slashing, billionaire-enriching megabill late last night, Senate Republicans are aiming for a final vote within the next 24 hours. This bill is a disaster. It:
Forces nearly a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid -- the largest cut to the life-saving program ever by a factor of FOUR
Gives ICE a larger budget than many militaries around the world
Strips healthcare away from 5% of Americans
Kicks 11.8 million people off SNAP benefits
Not only cuts funding for green energy but actually taxes it -- threatening to balloon energy costs and eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs
Represents the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in US history
But it’s also not a done deal. There’s still a real chance we can block this thing in the Senate, where some members agreed to begin debate without saying they’ll vote for final passage. If not, our fight turns back to the House, where an increasing number of vulnerable members are concerned about cuts to Medicaid, while budget hawks fume about the trillions it will add to the debt."(Copied from Indivisible email sent Sunday afternoon.).
Here's how you can act now to stop this terrible budget bill.
1. Join a phone bank to targeted medicaid recipients across the US to encourage them to make calls to their sentators to vote against this bill. More information and registration here. Hosted by Moveon this phone banking takes place Monday June 30 -Wednesday July 2 6pm - 8pm eastern.
2. Call Scott and Moody to tell them you do not support this bill. Their numbers and link to 5 Calls App is listed at the bottom of this email.
Everglades Concentration Camp Designed for Cruelty.
Cruelty is a hallmark of GOP policy these days and can be seen in the violent attacks, kidnappings and disappearances of immigrants off the streets of America. Florida GOP, led by DeSantis is using the cruel practice of building prisons, deportment centers, concentrations camps, call them what you will, in the harsh environs of Florida's swamplands and woods. And yes, that is what they are; concentration camps.
Who is building this camp in the Everglades? It is the Florida Department of Emergency Management. That is the State agency that is charged with having a comprehensive plan for dealing with emergencies in the state of Florida, emergencies like hurricanes. They are supposed to liaison with FEMA to assist in recovering from disasters. Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Mitigation, Finance and Administration are the charges. Building camps to house immigrants in an area prone to flooding, tornados and hurricanes has the potential of turning these facilities into death camps. Meanwhile, the GOP has started fundraising off of merch glorifying the idea of "Alligator Alcatraz." DeSantis intends to expand his plans and build a concentration camp just south of Jacksonville at Camp Blanding.
Not only is this plan cruel, but it threatens the Everglades ecosystem and was started without any environment review. Two organizations Florida Friends of The Everglades and The Center for Biological Diversity have filed suit to have the building of a prison in the Everglades halted. Read their press release here.
ACT NOW! Contact DeSantis and Florida AG Uthmeier and say NO to prisons in the Everglades. Use this link to send your message to "Stop Alligator Alcatraz"
Florida Plan for .... Migrant Jail Sparks Chorus of Outrage. The Guardian
"Hi" Time @ Hightide Burrito
Wednesdays 3-5 pm
Up for a little social time combined with social action? Me too! IJR will host a casual weekly meet-up on Wednesday's at High Tide Burrito 4591 Lakeside Drive in the Sadler Point Marina Complex. We might have some kind of letter or postcard writing action and it will definitely be a chance to enjoy each others company at a locally owned and operated neighborhood establishment. Treat yourself to food and beverages with other IJR members. Building community and connections, engaging in some joyful socializing, and catching up with what is happening is our goal. So, yes, it is time to say "Hi" and find our what we've each been doing, want to do and plan to do as we engage in the work of a democracy.
NEXT IJR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
July 13th, 2-4pm
Avondale United Methodist Church,
1651 Talbot Ave.
See you there!
After the General Membership Meeting an IJR member will lead a Energy Healing Recharge session from 4-4:30. Register here for this free, but space is limited, transformative opportunity.
And register here for the general membership meeting. This month's theme is Good Trouble Lives On, honoring the vital civil rights work of John Lewis.
Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for ways to be more connected. Here are some opportunties.
Tabling: Occassionally we like to set up at high traffic events to reach people and let them know that Indivisible Jax Riverside is a doing the pro-democracy work needed. We have tabled at Amplified Avondale and the Memorial Park Memorial Day Concert. If you think you'd enjoy meeting people at helemark@hotmail.comthese types of events please contact Helene at helemark@hotmail.com
Greeter: We'll have an ongoing Wednesday afternoon meetup to socialize and engage in a relaxed action at Hightide Burrito. Greeters are lined up for July, but if you'd be willing to welcome attendees please contact at indivisiblejaxnews@gmail.com with the Wednesday date August forward you'd like to greet. Low stress, fun assignment.
Communications/Writers: We are always looking for writers and graphic artists to assist in communications and media relations. Right now looking to fill our blog writing team out as we prepare to freshen our web presents. Contact Indivisiblejaxnews@gmail.com.
Senator Rick Scott: Jax Office—904.479.7227. | DC Office—202.224.5274
Senator Ashley Moody: Jax Office— 904.354.4300. | DC Office—202.224.3041 Aaron Bean: Jax Office -- 904-319-9433. | DC Office --202.225.0123.
And of course the 5 Calls app is very helpful in identifying issues and talking points before calling.
The Jax Palestinian Solidarity Network and AntiWar Action Network sponsored a march from Memorial Park to the Riverside Arts Market on Saturday, June 28th.
EVENTS & ACTIONS
Tuesday, July 1st, 5:30-6:00 Enough is Enough! Public Education is for ALL! Rally before the July DCPS School Board Meeting which starts at 6pm. 1701 Prudential Dr, Jacksonville
More information here.
Wednesday, July 2nd, 3-5pm. "Hi "Time @ Hightide. Social Time for Social Action IJR's casual meet-up. 4591 Lakeside Dr. Treat yourself to food and beverages with other IJR members.
Monday, July 7th, 9am-10am. Protest J Rutherford's enablement of the Trump Regime #50DaysofShame. Corner of Philips Hwy & Baymeadows Road. Learn more here.
Sunday, July 13th - 2p-4p, Indivisible Jax-Riverside Gathering. Avondale United Methodist Church, 1651 Talbot Ave. Register here.
Sunday, July 13th, 4-4:30 Activist Recharge Energy Recharge, Led by IJR member Brenda G. More Information and signup.
Thursday, July 17th, 5-8pm time frame. Good Trouble Lives On!. National Day of Action carrying on the fight for Civil Rights, Voting Rights and Justice as practiced by John R. Lewis on the 5th anniversary of his death. More details to follow.
Tues., July 29th, 5:30p-7:30p, 2025 Equal Ground On The Ground Legislative DeBrief. Equal Ground is an Indivisible statewide partner and this free session will provide legislative session updates and info on how to stay engaged. Church of Oakland in Jax, 1025 Jessie Street. A meal will be provided to all who register here.
[ONGOING] Saturdays, 10am-11:30am. Protect Democracy Protest. Neptune Beach Library, 600 3rd Street.
[ONGOING] Fridays 11:30a - 12:30p, Join Take ‘EM Down Jax & Northside Coalition of Jax weekly protest redlining and the morgue being built in Brentwood. City Hall. Signs and water provided.
[ONGOING] Tuesdays 12noon-1pm. Activist Clown & Street Theatre Training. For those who want to inject some attention-getting fun into mobilizations! Click here for info and registration.
(IJR) is a grassroots, volunteer-staffed organization that seeks to advocate for the protection of our democracy and critical government services, support like-minded leaders, and provide opportunities for civic engagement and education. We encourage only peaceful and lawful protest. IJR is not liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the actions of individual participants.
Thank you all for using your voice, your talent, and your bodies to show up and be counted. If you would like to donate to Indivisible Jax Riverside, use the button below.
Thank You!
Donate To Indivisible Jax Riverside
To include any upcoming events /actions please send to: indivisiblejaxnews@gmail.com
