On Thursday, July 17, thousands of Americans across all 50 states are expected to take part in “Good Trouble Lives On,” a major protest movement aimed at pushing back against the Trump administration’s policies on voting rights, racial justice, and immigration. The protest is organized to coincide with the five-year anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s death, and builds upon the momentum from last month’s “No Kings” rally, which became the largest mass protest of Trump’s second term.
🔎 What Is ‘Good Trouble Lives On’?
The name draws directly from John Lewis’s famous words, urging people to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble” in the name of justice and civil rights. Lewis, a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and longtime Georgia Congressman, is being honored as a symbol of peaceful resistance and democratic action.
The movement serves both as a memorial to Lewis and a national day of action aimed at:
- Defending voting rights and access to the ballot
- Opposing the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs
- Fighting the Trump administration’s hardline immigration enforcement
- Resisting authoritarian tendencies within the federal government
🛠️ Who Is Behind It?
The protest is being led by a coalition of civil rights and pro-democracy organizations, including:
- Transformative Justice Coalition
- Black Voters Matter
- The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- League of Women Voters
- Declaration for American Democracy Coalition
- Mi Familia en Acción
📍 Where and When Are the Protests?
The flagship protest will take place in Chicago, but events are planned in hundreds of cities, including:
- Atlanta
- Washington, DC
- Annapolis, Maryland
- St. Louis
- San Francisco (tentative)
According to organizers, over 1,200 events had been finalized as of July 9, including marches, courthouse rallies, and community teach-ins.
⏰ Exact times vary by location. You can check local event listings or the official website of Declaration for American Democracy for details in your area.
💬 Why Now?
Organizers cite what they describe as “escalating authoritarian actions” by the Trump administration, especially concerning:
- Cuts to voting access
- Removal of DEI programs
- Increased ICE enforcement and deportations
- Attempts to weaken civil institutions
A joint statement from Christine Wood and Allison Pulliam, co-directors of the Declaration for American Democracy Coalition, emphasized the urgency:
“In only his first few months in office, Trump has pulverized that progress, attacking our right to vote, cracking down on free speech and our right to protest, deporting people without due process, and defunding lifesaving research.”
🕊️ Peaceful Protest with Purpose
Despite the strong political undertone, organizers stress that ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ is a peaceful, non-violent movement rooted in democratic principles, continuing the legacy of civil rights icons like John Lewis and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
📢 Final Word
As the nation prepares for the 2026 midterms and beyond, protests like “Good Trouble Lives On” highlight growing tensions between grassroots activism and the Trump administration’s second-term policies. Whether you’re attending in person or following online, July 17 is shaping up to be a defining moment for civic engagement in 2025.