By Bacardi Jackson, Executive Director, ACLU of Florida

Courage is contagious. And in Florida, choosing courage over fear is how we protect our communities—and the future of our democracy.

As we close out this year, I find myself reflecting not only on what we’ve faced, but on what you’ve made possible. For 70 years, Floridians like you have shown that a single voice—raised at the right moment—can spark change that lasts.

This year, as we marked our milestone anniversary, we honored leaders of courage across our state. Their stories reminded us that courage has no political affiliation. It doesn’t wait for permission. It comes from lived experience—and from the clarity that silence is never neutral.

We’ve seen courage up close this year: people stepping forward to defend rights in court; people using their time, resources, and platforms to push back against cruelty; and everyday Floridians speaking truth to power in city halls, school board meetings, and community spaces across the state.

And while Florida is experiencing a wave of government overreach—efforts to control what students can read, what educators can teach, what healthcare decisions families can make, who gets to vote, and who gets to belong—this season reminds me of something deeper: we are not alone, and we are not powerless. We are connected by shared values and by the simple, steady decision to keep showing up for one another.

Our Defender of Democracy Awardee Dr. Marvin Dunn put it plainly: “whatever our age or capacity, we share an obligation to stand up.” As we head into the new year, may we carry that obligation with us—not as a burden, but as a source of purpose. Because when we choose courage together, we make room for hope—and we make it harder for fear to win.

Thank you for being part of this movement, and for all the ways you’ve shown up this year. Because in Florida, we don’t just witness the fight for freedom—we lead it and understand it is our duty to win it.

Indeed, we are the frontline of resistance and the vanguard of courageous advocacy and activism that will make the vision of a Free Florida and Free Nation real.

In solidarity,
Bacardi L. Jackson
Executive Director, ACLU of Florida