Get Off Your Ass August
Slow, summer pace is winding down and it's time to lean harder into fighting fascism. Where do you stand? What do you care about and how are you inserting yourself into the fight?
REAL TALK REFLECTIONS
Here we are meticulously sifting through potential events to share with our So Flo organizing family and guys, it’s a bit dry. We get it- summer tends to be a time where everyone is on a lackadaisical schedule. BUT- we cannot afford to kick back and chill when on the daily fascism is growing ever more evident in every aspect of our lives.
A question to you all, readers. One that doesn’t require a direct response but does require your direct action. How are you actively inserting yourself in this fight? Each and every one of us must invest in the change we wish to create, right now. What will you do? What are you willing to sacrifice? Is it truly a sacrifice or an investment in community, our future and hope.
We are always looking to include your organizations and ideas in our issues so if you have something of interest please, drop us an email.
And as a reminder, here is our guide to organizing for those who want to start and don’t know how to.
Don’t Stop Talking About: PALESTINE, SUDAN, DR CONGO
Israel has murdered every member of Gaza’s remaining Al-Jazeera staff as they attempt to suppress news around the genocide. Mohammed el Kurd writes about it here, where he discusses the obfuscation of the genocide and occupation by Israel’s allies. This deliberate censorship and assassination is a tool employed to obscure Israel’s brutality, and all those who continue to serve as proponents of it.
In the context of labor: From the 1936 Great Revolt and General Strike, the Land Day general strike of 1976, the beginning of the 1987 Intifada as a labor revolt, to the general strike of the 2021 Unity Intifada, Palestinians have used labor revolt as a form of popular resistance. It’s up to us to follow in their stead.
We see how our labor is entrenched in blood money for all angles. Be it the military industrial complex and how many of the corporations we work for are funded or funding Zionism, the cobalt industry and its violent and visceral exploitation of the global south and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular, or how Sudan continues to be ravaged by the UAE and IMF funded militants because of the gold its soil holds.
On this labor day, investigate where your labor goes -- who it supports, who it serves, how to get your unions to stand against the war complex and so much more.
With the inordinate, nonstop domestic fuckery coming at us 24x7 it can be hard to recognize where to focus our attention and energy. It all feels so important. Let us keep in mind two vital facts:
The relentless, sensationalized distractions are intentional to keep us playing mental “whack-a-mole” rather than harness our power via organizing.
The worldwide atrocities that the imperialistic, capitalistic machine continue to impose are all interconnected and intended to serve the white, Christian upperclass.
Right now Palestinian people are suffering and dying in Israeli-induced starvation tactics to continue genocide because Israel will not cede in their horrific plans to completely wipe Palestinians out of existence to seize the valuable land, oil and natural gas resources. Nor will the world stand up to and stop Israel.
Because of their fertile land, gold and a plethora of other natural and mineral-rich resources right now the Sudanese civilians are existing in the midst of a longstanding and growing hunger crisis, infrastructure collapse, physical and sexual brutality and massive displacement.
Currently the Congolese people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are pawns in an unyielding an ever-worsening violent war and genocide. The DRC is an area rich in cobalt and coltan, minerals essential to the production of all things tech. Displacement, disease outbreak, food insecurity and escalating violence are rampant.
And while the geographical, cultural, political and social components of these 3 crises are diverse, what remains unchanged is the uber-wealthy, manipulative external actors, oftentimes other countries and governments that wield firm dominance over greedy, power-hungry internal actors who together execute the proverbial imperialism playbook in which endless war, destabilization, dehumanization and annihilation of a people equals extraction of a coveted product, power and profit over trade routes and ports and complete reign of a region. Profits over people, no matter the savagery, the raging mantra. These are the common factors and outcomes, regardless of the variables of the equation presented to us time and again throughout colonialism history to present.
But what can we do with a problem of that force and magnitude? We learn, we bear witness, we talk to others, we organize, we donate, we don’t stop. We pull back the increasingly thinning veil of neocolonialism deceit many of use have subscribed to for so long. We release our guilt and shame and put that energy to action by centering the real victims of these real-time atrocities.
It’s all connected. The bombs over Gaza, the destruction in Sudan, the looting of Congo. It’s the same culprits, and the same system. These ‘poor countries’ of the Global South are the same nations whose wealth sustains the very existence of the Western world.
RESOURCES FOR PALESTINE:
RESOURCES FOR SUDAN:
The journalist, Bisan from Gaza, calls for a GENERAL STRIKE ON THE 21ST OF THIS MONTH.
Watch the video here.
In this cruel world, it’s great to remember that withholding your money and investment works. Show out for the general strike and remember to boycott BDS!
As Trump continues to roll back necessities and life saving programs, rights and what little social security exists in this country, we implore you to keep up with the rest of this letter (and those that have come before) to discover ways in which you can plug into your community!
BLACK AUGUST
Black August is upon us.
Study, fast, train, fight, and in the words of George Jackson, “Do what must be done; discover your humanity and your love in revolution.”
Black August is a month dedicated to celebrating black resistance. It was created to pay respect and support to Black freedom fighters who were incarcerated and/or killed by the state. In these times, we see the invisible boot with which the state keeps us complacent. We must stand with those who have taken action against the state apparatus and were punished for it, and all those who continue to supply prison labor, are forcefully trapped and isolated from the rest of society, and are ushered through the pipeline not due to any real form of justice but a deeply faulty system built to punish marginalized communities.
Below are letter writing programs for political prisoners across the country:
Check out the full thread at workshops4gaza!
Down in Florida, we have multiple prison writing programs:
This program partners with detention facilities to provide arts-based educational workshops to over 600 incarcerated adults and juveniles per year.
Phone: (305) 278-1601
Email: artspring@artspring.org;
Exchange for Change offers a variety of writing courses in South Florida prisons, and runs letter-writing exchanges between our incarcerated students and students in local academic universities, colleges and high schools.
Phone: (305) 771-3241
Email: exchforchange@gmail.com
The Florida Coalition for Higher Education
Donate your books (of any kind) to the Florida Prison Education Project.
Mailing Address:
UCF Florida Prison Education Project
Attn: Michael Kostis
12400 Aquarius Agora Dr.
Orlando, FL 32816
Find a national catalogue of prison writing programs here! A letter is the first gateway to freedom.
From the prisons in Amerikkka to Palestine to Sudan to the Congo to Armenia, all those trapped beneath the thumb of imperial superpowers -- we will be free! Long live the intifada.
THE BITCH IS BACK…..KIM DAVIS AND HER LIBERTY COUNSEL FAN CLUB CHALLENGING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE RIGHTS AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL
Consider this your notice, avoid complacency and jump into action because the Christian right is energetically, frantically rolling with the rollback of rights momentum. Late last month, Kim Davis took her appeal to the Supreme Court requesting the overturn of the hard-fought landmark 2015 win of Obergefell v. Hodges. Kim Davis, somehow has morphed into a pillar of the idealistic white, Christian, heteronormative marriage standards even though according to numerous news sources she’s been married four times to three different men. With reports of Davis’ infidelity, even having children with another man while she was married she makes for a questionable leader. While many law analysts seems to opine that Davis won’t gain traction this is not the time to take any chances. Plug yourself into action or create an action yourself.
To get involved with the National LGBTQ Task Force building Q Power Organizing Bootcamp you can apply HERE.
Join PRISM Wednesday, August 20th to fight for the reinstitution of DEI in PBC schools
This Wednesday, August 20, PRISM will be at the Palm Beach School Board meeting to demand that our district reinstate the diversity, equity, and inclusion protections that were recently rolled back. The meeting will take place from 5:00–7:30 PM at the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center, 3300 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach. RSVP HERE!
PRISM Gala 2025
You can find out more details, RSVP, purchase tickets or sponsor the event HERE.
Compass Community Center and other local community orgs need our presence on Tuesday, August 26th at the an important upcoming Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Robert Weisman Governmental Center Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers 301 N. Olive Avenue, 6th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Why It Matters:
The commissioners will be deciding whether or not to approve funding for local Community-Based Agencies—organizations that provide critical services like mental health care, youth support, housing help, LGBTQ+ resources, economic access, safety & justice, parenting support, domestic violence education & resources, social & emotional learning.
Can’t make it? No problem, you can email each commissioner (numbered by district) and communicate how vital these organizations are to the overall health and safety of our entire community.
1. Maria G. Marino: MMarino@pbc.gov
2. Gregg K. Weiss: GWeiss@pbc.gov
3. Joel G. Flores: JGFlores@pbc.gov
4. Marci Woodward: MWoodward@pbc.gov
5. Maria Sachs: MSachs@pbc.gov
6. Sara Baxter: SBaxter@pbc.gov
7. Bobby Powell Jr: BPowell@pbc.gov
Link up with DREAM DEFENDERS and educate yourself in BLACK AUGUST. Our local DD Squads are Broward DD and Miami DD
Can you pitch in to support our vulnerable communities impacted by ICE? UNIDOS IMMOKALEE is looking for volunteers and funds to support local families. If you can donate please do so HERE. If you want more information about volunteering go HERE.
Looking for something to do this Friday? Check out a screening of Reimagine Safety with B.L.A.M. Register for the screening HERE. If you want to learn more about B.L.A.M check them out HERE.
Check in with Florida Rising to see what local events you can attend and participate in HERE.
Want to hit up a protest on Labor Day? Follow Palm Beach Indivisibles on Facebook if you want upcoming details about the event.
Rohi’s Readery is still holding it down with revolutionary, soul-nurturing activities throughout August and September. You can investigate all of their events HERE.
PALM BEACH DSA TWICE WEEKLY FOODSHARE IN DESPERATE NEED!
When do we meet:
Every Thursday at 5:30 at Bryant Park amphitheater (100 S Golfview Rd) @ Lake Worth Lagoon, Lake Worth, FL 33449
Every Sunday in the front parking lot of Compass Community Center ,201 N Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
Several of our regular volunteers are moving out of the state and as more people continue to need mutual aid to sustain themselves we REALLY NEED MORE HELP to fill these gaps!
Palm Beach DSA hosts a food share every week at the times and locations listed above. They are always in need of food, supplies and volunteers. Homelessness rates are only increasing, and right now, we need each other more than ever.
Feel free to bring food/drinks/snacks to share with the community!
Clothing and hygiene products/kit donations are also gladly accepted and appreciated.
If you have any questions, please email us at info@palmbeachdsa.org.
Socialist Alternative is hosting an event to continue the momentum of their MAYDAY launch.
If you’d like to register to attend this event hosted by Social Alternative and DSA, click HERE.
Music and Art for the Activist’s Heart and Mind
The Neighborhood Kids spitting truth with lyrical ferocity and sick hip-hop beats. Check out their latest “Fed Up”
Longtime local, Larry Rein, owner of All About Music School composed and shared with us the protest song for everyman with fierce guitar riffs “Listen, Don’t Listen”
Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley, a book I’ve been delving into for my morning meditations and reflections provides depth, pondering and connection to spirit.
A moving and immersive short-story by a Palestinian author Yasmin Zaher, The Garden.
Bad month, huh?
We know. The world is on fire. We’re struggling to put food on the table. Material conditions are worsening in real time, and the things we never wanted to see with our two eyes or willfully imagine away are cropping up for us all to witness.
The world has been ruled by very evil people for a long time. That’s precisely why as the newsletter says, it’s time to get off your ass for August!
Show up. Show out. Be there for your community. We need each other. We’re all we have. We live in the belly of the beast - if anyone has a chance of killing this thing from the inside, it’s us.
They want you to be demoralized. That’s exactly why you can’t be. People need you. We need you.
It’s time to get to work — the work that matters! We’re with you every step of the way.
With love and resistance,
M&N