On July 17, 2025, people all over the US and beyond will protest and do things to honour the memory of John Lewis, a late Congressman who was one of the most important people in the civil rights movement. Lewis was known for his support of nonviolent action to fight injustice. He came up with the phrase “Good Trouble” to describe the bravery to fight systemic problems through peaceful but powerful action.
The “Good Trouble Lives On” protests are meant to push back against the Trump administration’s policies, which people think hurt civil and human rights. These protests are all about keeping the fight for justice and equality going, from taking away voting rights to weakening environmental protections. More than 1,600 events are happening all over the country on this day of action. This shows how powerful collective action can be when communities work together to protect everyone’s rights.
A Thank You to John Lewis
John Lewis’s idea of nonviolent resistance is what the “Good Trouble” movement is based on. Lewis was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and was at the centre of important events in history, such as the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965 and his work to get people to vote. His work for civil rights and social justice will always be remembered in American history.
The day of action on July 17, 2025, marks the fifth anniversary of Lewis’s death. It is both a tribute to his life and a way to keep doing the work he started. The movement encourages people to speak out, fight against injustice, and demand change by using his own words: “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
What the Protests Are About
The “Good Trouble Lives On” protests are happening all over the country, but they are also personal. These protests are a call for everyone to stand up and speak out in their own communities. There will be more than 1,600 events in all 50 states, with big rallies in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. There are also plans for international events to show support for the ongoing fight for civil rights.
The protests will look different, from honk-and-wave events to marches and rallies. Some events will take place at schools, parks, government buildings, and other well-known places. Others will focus on teaching people how to register to vote, collecting food, and holding teach-ins. Every event, no matter how big or small, helps the bigger cause of justice and equality for everyone.
What the Protests Were About – Taking on the Trump Administration
The main goal of the “Good Trouble Lives On” protests is to speak out against the policies and actions of the Trump administration, which many activists and organisers say have hurt basic civil rights. The protests will be about these things:
- Freedom of Speech: The Trump administration has been trying harder and harder to shut down people who disagree with them. The fight for the right to express one’s beliefs has been in danger, from going after journalists to using the National Guard to break up peaceful protests.
- Voting Rights: The Trump administration has been at the forefront of efforts to suppress voting rights, particularly for Black, Brown, immigrant, and Indigenous communities. Laws like the SAVE Act have been suggested to make it harder for people to vote, which goes against the very idea of democracy.
- Due Process: The Trump administration’s deportation policies have sent tens of thousands of people back to their home countries without giving them a fair trial. People are very worried about this lack of respect for due process rights.
- Environmental Rights: Trump’s plans to get rid of protections for the environment, like undoing federal rules on air and water, have put the future of clean air and water in danger. Another thing that the protests have been about is the lack of attention to environmental justice.
- Reproductive Rights: The fight for reproductive freedom has reached a turning point now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Many people see this choice to take away women’s reproductive rights as one of the biggest steps back for gender equality in recent history.
Main Goals of the Protests
The protests are meant to bring attention to these violations and demand action to protect civil rights. The specific goals are:
- Stop Attacks on Civil Rights: This means stopping the loss of basic rights like the right to vote, the right to speak your mind, and the right to access justice.
- Stop Destroying the Environment: Speak out for keeping environmental protections that make sure everyone has access to clean air and water.
- Challenge Corporate Power: The protests will bring attention to how billionaires and corporate interests are becoming more powerful and hurting democracy and working people.
People who put on the event and those who took part
A number of advocacy groups, many of which have worked on other campaigns, are putting on the “Good Trouble Lives On” protests. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the Ohio Organising Collaborative, Indivisible, and the Transformative Justice Coalition are some of the most important groups that are putting this together. These groups, along with other grassroots movements, are working together to continue the fight for social justice that John Lewis started.
The Trump administration’s attacks on civil rights are what led to these protests. They are a continuation of the work these advocacy groups have been doing for a long time to protect basic freedoms.
How to Join the Protests
It’s easy to take part in the “Good Trouble Lives On” protests. Here are some ways you can get involved:
- Find an Event Near You: Go to lcv.org/goodtrouble to see what’s going on in your area. No matter what you do, whether it’s going to a rally, march, or community-building event, it matters.
- Join a Local Voter Registration Drive: Many of the protests will have voter registration drives, which will let you help other people vote.
- Do service work: A lot of protests are putting together food drives and other volunteer efforts to help people in need.
- Use Your Voice: Your voice matters whether you go to an event or speak out online. Make good trouble in your community, stand up for civil rights, and spread the word.
Ideas for Protest Signs
Here are some ideas for your protest sign that are based on John Lewis’s legacy of justice:
- “Get into good trouble, trouble that is needed”
- “Freedom is not a thing, it’s an action.” – John Lewis
- “Fossils only like fossil fuels”
- “There’s no other planet”
- “History is watching you” (from Hamilton)
- “Immigrants (We do the work!)” (From Hamilton)
- “Sometimes you have to be a little bad.” (from Matilda)
- “It is our right and duty to get rid of such a government.” (from the Declaration of Independence)
These creative and empowering slogans help get the point across about the protests and the ongoing fight for justice, equality, and human rights.
John Lewis’s Legacy
We honour John Lewis’s life and legacy by marching and protesting on July 17. Lewis was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. His commitment to nonviolent resistance made it possible for future generations to keep fighting for justice. His work, from the Selma to Montgomery marches to his fight for voting rights, still inspires activists and communities all over the country.
We can keep fighting for a fairer and more just society and the protection of our rights by working together. John Lewis once said, “Don’t ever be afraid to make some noise and get into good trouble, necessary trouble.” We are carrying on his message as we gather for the “Good Trouble Lives On” protests.
The fight goes on, as the conclusion shows.
The “Good Trouble Lives On” protests on July 17, 2025, were a key moment in the ongoing fight for civil rights. We must keep up John Lewis’s work and fight against policies that threaten our rights as we remember him and what he did to fight for justice.
We can make a difference by protesting peacefully, marching, doing community service, and building communities. As we march, let’s honour John Lewis’s legacy by making good trouble for justice, equality, and freedom for everyone.
