FAC Weekly Update 2025-06-24-Standing Up to Harassment

Dear Members and Advocates,

The most significant update from this past week is an upsetting one. Last week, NARSOL (the National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws – of which FAC is the Florida affiliate) reported that it had been forced to cancel its 2025 Annual Conference, which was scheduled for June 26–29 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to NARSOL’s public statement, the cancellation was the result of a targeted harassment campaign led by the Proud Boys—a group officially recognized as an extremist hate group. The group flooded the DoubleTree Grand Rapids and Hilton’s corporate headquarters with threats and intimidation, forcing the hotel to revoke access to the conference venue. As a result, the event could not go forward as planned.

This was a heartbreaking and infuriating development, not only for those who had planned to attend and speak at the conference, but for our entire advocacy community. These kinds of intimidation tactics aim to silence rational discourse, punish people for seeking reform, and delegitimize the efforts of families, professionals, and registrants working toward a just and evidence-based approach to sexual offense laws. Many FAC members were slated to attend the conference, several were scheduled to present, and some were even going to be recognized for their commitment to the cause. Thankfully, NARSOL has announced they are already in the process of rescheduling the conference at a different time and venue and more details will be shared as they are announced.

While this is a setback, it is also a clear indicator of something powerful: our movement is gaining traction. We are no longer operating in the shadows, easily ignored and quietly dismissed. We are being seen—and that means we are being taken seriously. In years past, we may not have even drawn attention. But now? Vigilante groups are threatened by us. That speaks volumes about the progress we’re making.

Unfortunately, this growing visibility also comes with growing risk. The Proud Boys used information from the public registry to dox certain individuals affiliated with the event and called on their members to take action. We’ve seen an uptick in online harassment at FAC too. Since launching our video Ad campaigns on YouTube, the FAC site has had an influx of trolls, vigilantes and malicious, threatening comments. This isn’t coincidental—it’s part of the toxic environment created by public sex offense registries. The registry doesn’t just brand people with a scarlet letter—it paints a target on their backs.

The real danger is that by publishing names, addresses, workplaces, vehicles, and other identifying information, these laws provide those who wish to do us harm with a literal hit list. And time and time again, we see these threats materialize into danger for registrants and their families. Each day the government puts us out there, our safety and the safety of our loved ones is at stake.

This is exactly why we must press on. Giving in to intimidation is what these extremists want. But we will not be deterred. We will grow stronger. We will push harder. And we will be louder and more united than ever before. In the wake of this troubling cancellation, NARSOL has received an outpouring of support from allied organizations across the country. We join in that chorus of solidarity. NARSOL has been a vital force in challenging the draconian status quo and pushing for evidence-based, humane policy—and we are proud to stand with them.

Let us all take this moment not as a defeat, but as a call to action. Our voices matter. Our movement is growing. And despite the hate, despite the fear, we are not going away.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee