Nationwide demonstrations in tribute to civil rights pioneer John Lewis, led by Trump supporters
In a commemoration of the legacy of the late civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis, communities across the United States are set to participate in the "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action on July 17, 2025. This annual event, inspired by Lewis's phrase "Good Trouble," which signifies peaceful, non-violent action against injustice, aims to challenge policies and actions perceived as threats to democracy and civil liberties.
John Lewis, the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, led the charge for civil rights alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Elected to Congress in 1986, Lewis passed away in 2020 at the age of 80 following an advanced pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
The key objectives of this year's event include opposing the rollback of civil rights, resisting authoritarian actions and democratic erosion, fighting against federal aid cuts and increased immigration enforcement, promoting voter rights, and building momentum from previous large-scale mobilizations.
Chicago will serve as the flagship city for Thursday's protests, with demonstrators expected to rally downtown in the afternoon. Protest events are planned for more than 1,600 locations around the country, including Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland, California, Annapolis, Maryland, and other major cities. The protests will take place at streets, courthouses, and other public spaces, with organizers calling for peaceful protests.
The coalition behind Thursday's protests includes organizations such as Public Citizen, a nonprofit organisation with a mission of taking on corporate power. A candlelight vigil will also be held in Chicago to honour John Lewis.
Recent focus of the protests has been on President Donald Trump's policies, particularly on deportations and immigration enforcement tactics. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Los Angeles on June 8, and federal authorities conducted mass arrests at two Southern California marijuana farms earlier this month.
The DJ at the Chicago rally will provide a lively tone for the event, while a candlelight vigil will offer a more solemn moment to honour Lewis's legacy. Notably, one farmworker died during a chaotic raid at one of the Southern California farms.
The "Good Trouble Lives On" day is a peaceful, collective mobilization seeking to uphold John Lewis’s legacy by confronting injustices and advocating for a democracy that truly serves all citizens. The movement continues to build on the energy of prior nationwide protests like the "No Kings" rallies which saw over 2,100 events, emphasizing that power belongs to the people, not extremist politicians or billionaires.
In the spirit of John Lewis's commitment to health-and-wellness, civil rights, and peace, the "Good Trouble Lives On" day of action also intends to challenge policies that threaten access to affordable healthcare and promote health equity. Furthermore, the day's focus extends to politics and general-news, as it encourages citizens to actively engage in discussions about democratic erosion, immigration enforcement, and federal aid cuts, advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of the people over those of extreme politicians and billionaires.
