National Organization for Women

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September’s Things To Do

Written by Dr. Julie A. Kent / President@flnow.org

Things to Do Today

  1. Check your voter registration. I know you just voted, but with the current attacks on voting rights it makes sense to reconfirm.

  2. Find out about the candidates on the November ballot in your area. NOW PAC endorsed candidates and FL NOW endorsed candidates can be seen at https://flnow.org/north-florida-now-pac-endorsed-candidates/

  3. Encourage those around you to make a plan to vote in November. Especially encourage those 18 to 29 to engage and vote.

Things you can do this week

  1. Read Amendment 1 — Budget Stabilization Fund Legislative referral: HJR 5019 Full text: 🔗 https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/5019 (flsenate.gov in Bing) (Select “Original Filed Version” or “Committee Substitute” to view the full constitutional language.)

  2. Read Amendment 2 — Agricultural Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption Legislative referral: CS/HJR 1215 Full text: 🔗 https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1215 (flsenate.gov in Bing) (Contains the full amendment text including definitions, exemptions, and implementation language.)

  3. Yes, there is a third Amendment. FL NOW opposes all three amendments. I feel everyone should take the opportunity to read the Amendments and that may help to explain our opposition. However, judicial review of the text of the third Amendment has indicated that it must be rewritten. I am that you read our presentation opposing these Amendments instead. (Can we get a link to Debbie’s presentation).

Things you can do this Month

  1. Read “Giving Up is Unforgivable” by Joyce Vance (or listen to the audio version).

  2. Attend the training sessions from our NOW Southern District representative Karen Mullins.

  3. Gather with friends and join a get out the vote campaign. This fundamental right is crucial to women’s equality.

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FL NOW Condemns the Strategic Targeting of Peace Organizations and Progressive Journalists: “An Intimidation Tactic to Silence Dissent — and a Threat to Democracy”

For Immediate Release:  August 23rd, 2026 by Julie Kent, FL NOW President

Orlando, FL — The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) today condemned the escalating pattern of targeted harassment, surveillance, and political attacks directed at progressive peace organizations, humanitarian‑aid groups, and independent journalists — including CodePink, Hasan Piker, BT News, CAIR, and other outlets and advocates who report on war, human rights, and global justice.

FL NOW asserts that these coordinated attacks represent an intimidation tactic designed to silence dissent, undermine civil society, and chill the work of journalists and activists who challenge powerful institutions.

“This is not just about individual organizations — it’s about free speech and freedom of the press,” FL NOW President Julie Kent stated. “When peace groups, humanitarian‑aid networks, and independent journalists are strategically targeted, smeared, or threatened for their work, it is not accidental — it is a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent. Silencing critical voices is profoundly dangerous to democracy, to women’s rights, and to the public’s ability to access truthful reporting.”

A Pattern of Targeting Progressive Voices

Across the country, progressive organizations and journalists have reported:

  • Coordinated disinformation campaigns
  • Harassment and doxxing
  • Retaliatory investigations or political labeling
  • Attempts to delegitimize peace activism and humanitarian aid
  • Pressure campaigns aimed at advertisers, donors, or platforms

Groups like CodePink, which has long advocated for diplomacy and de‑escalation, and journalists such as Hasan Piker and BT News, who report on global conflict and human rights, have been singled out in ways that raise serious concerns about press freedom, civil liberties, and the right to organize.

Women Are Disproportionately Harmed When Dissent Is Silenced

FL NOW emphasizes that women — especially women of color, immigrant women, and women in conflict zones — rely on peace advocacy, humanitarian aid, and independent journalism to expose abuses, document gender‑based violence, and push for accountability.

“Suppressing peace activism and independent reporting directly harms women worldwide,” Deland said. “When journalists and aid groups are intimidated, the truth about war, displacement, and gender‑based violence becomes harder to uncover.”

A Warning for Florida and the Nation

FL NOW warns that these intimidation tactics mirror broader national trends:

  • Shrinking space for civil society,
  • Rising hostility toward journalists,
  • Punitive measures against protest, and increasing political pressure on nonprofits.

These trends threaten free expression, public oversight, and the democratic right to question government actions.

FL NOW Calls for Protection of Civil Liberties and Press Freedom

FL NOW urges elected officials, media platforms, and civic institutions to:

  • Defend the rights of peace organizations and humanitarian groups
  • Protect independent journalists from harassment and retaliation
  • Reject political efforts to criminalize dissent
  • Reject laws and policies that restrict peaceful protest and freedom of speech
  • Ensure transparency and accountability in government actions
  • Affirm that democracy requires robust, protected public debate

“Democracy cannot survive if dissent is punished.”

“FL NOW reaffirms its commitment to defending civil liberties, human rights, and the essential role of journalism in exposing injustice,” said VP FL NOW, Debbie Deland. “Attempts to silence progressive voices are attempts to silence democracy itself. FL NOW stands with peace advocates, humanitarian workers, and independent journalists — and we will not be intimidated.”