When the government plays favorites—whether in public schools, elections, or social media—it’s up to everyday citizens to hold them accountable. Across the country, individuals are stepping up to challenge religious favoritism, censorship, and abuse of
power. And the good news? It works.
Activists and legal challengers have successfully exposed hypocrisy, overturned policies, and forced public officials to follow their own rules. In Florida, lawsuits have challenged selective enforcement of religious messages in schools, book bans that target marginalized groups, and elected officials who silence critics on social media.
So how can more people take action? Here’s a look at key strategies for fighting government overreach—and winning.
Expose Hypocrisy with the Law on Your Side
Laws are often written broadly but enforced selectively. That’s where activists can make an impact. In Florida, one legal challenger forced Gov. Ron DeSantis to weaken his own book-ban law by demanding the Bible be removed from public schools under the same criteria used to ban LGBTQ+ and Black history books (NPR, “Florida Man Asks Schools to Ban Bible”). The challenge exposed the double standard at play—and forced state officials to backtrack.
A similar strategy was used in Texas, where schools were required to display “In God We Trust” signs—but only accepted them in English. Activists donated thousands of signs in Arabic, Spanish, and rainbow colors, highlighting the selective enforcement
of the law (Texas Tribune, “Texas Schools Must Display ‘In God We Trust’ Signs”).
How to Take Action
Read the laws carefully—often, they’re written in a way that allows for creative challenges.
- Think outside the box, flip the script, and use the law in reverse.
- Apply the same rules equally—if they ban one religious message, challenge them to ban others.
- Use creative measures and public records requests to expose contradictions.
- Bold works.
Use the Courts to Force Change
While many assume lawsuits are only for lawyers, pro se litigants—those representing themselves—have won major victories in federal court. In fact, cases challenging selective religious advertising in public schools and politicians blocking critics on social media have survived early dismissal attempts, an achievement that fewer than 3% of pro se cases.
A recent case against a Florida school board showed how challenging religious favoritism can force institutions to change policies. After a lawsuit exposed the fact that Christian church banners were allowed in public schools, but others were denied, the district removed all banners rather than face further legal scrutiny.
Similarly, a case against a state representative who blocked critics on Twitter highlighted the growing body of legal precedent that elected officials cannot use social media to silence. The lawsuit has advanced in federal court, reinforcing the constitutional right to challenge government officials directly.
It can be simply terrifying, but don’t be intimidated by the courts—many legal victories have been won by those without legal backgrounds.
Hold Local Officials Accountable in Elections
Government overreach isn’t just a federal issue—it happens in local elections and city councils every day. In Florida, a legal challenge against a mayoral candidate’s suspicious residency claims revealed inconsistencies that could impact election
integrity.
Even though the lawsuit was dismissed due to procedural issues, it forced the candidate to spend significant legal fees and brought attention to questionable practices—proving that even an unsuccessful legal fight can create lasting political consequences, all while making bad actors think twice.
How to Take Action
- Fact-check local candidates—look at their voting history and property records.
- See something, say something. Say it loud.
- File challenges when something doesn’t add up—often, local election boards won’t act unless a citizen speaks up.
- Use media pressure to highlight inconsistencies before votes are cast.
Join a Movement and Learn How to Fight Back
Challenging government overreach isn’t just about winning a single case—it’s about teaching others how to do it, too. Across the country, activists are learning to use legal challenges, public records requests, and targeted political pressure to make
change happen.
Programs like the Revolt Training System Failure Boot Camp are designed to equip everyday citizens with the tools to challenge power, expose corruption, and force real change. No fluff—just results-driven activism that works.
Change doesn’t happen by asking nicely—it happens by demanding accountability. Whether it’s challenging a law, filing a lawsuit, or exposing corruption, the most powerful tool in a democracy is an informed and engaged citizen.
