On Thursday, protests and events opposing President Donald Trump’s controversial policies—such as mass deportations and significant cuts to Medicaid and other safety nets for vulnerable populations—were held at over 1,600 locations across the United States. This national day of action, themed “Good Trouble Lives On,” pays tribute to the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Demonstrations unfolded in various public spaces including streets and courthouses, with organizers emphasizing the importance of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.
Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert addressed the current climate during an online news conference, stating, “We are navigating one of the most terrifying moments in our nation’s history.” She expressed concerns over a rising tide of authoritarianism and lawlessness within the current administration, which she believes is challenging the fundamental rights and freedoms of democracy. Public Citizen, a nonprofit organization focused on curbing corporate influence, is part of the coalition supporting Thursday’s protests.
Significant protests were scheduled in cities such as Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland (California), and Annapolis (Maryland). Each event reflects a collective effort to honor John Lewis’ legacy while advocating for civil rights and social justice. Lewis, who first entered Congress in 1986 and passed away in 2020 from pancreatic cancer, was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and famously led the Bloody Sunday march in 1965.
John Lewis was the youngest and last surviving member of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group that included the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.. During the Bloody Sunday march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, Lewis was brutally beaten by police, suffering a skull fracture. This pivotal moment in history catalyzed further marches and ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon Johnson.
In 2020, while commemorating the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Lewis famously urged, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America.” His call to action resonates deeply in the current political climate, inspiring many to participate in the ongoing protests.
Chicago emerged as the flagship city for the protests, with demonstrators expected to gather in the downtown area during the afternoon. Betty Magness, executive vice president of the League of Women Voters Chicago and one of the event organizers, indicated that the rally would feature a candlelight vigil in honor of Lewis. In addition to the solemn tribute, the event is set to maintain an upbeat atmosphere, complete with a DJ to energize the crowd.
The protests are largely a response to Trump’s immigration policies and enforcement tactics. Recently, tensions escalated in Southern California where federal authorities conducted mass arrests at two marijuana farms. Tragically, a farmworker lost their life during a chaotic raid. These events followed Trump’s controversial decision to deploy the National Guard to safeguard federal buildings and assist immigration agents in making arrests in Los Angeles.
On June 8, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Los Angeles, and organizers of the June 14 “No Kings” demonstrations reported that millions participated in events spanning from New York to San Francisco. During these protests, demonstrators labeled Trump as a dictator and criticized his military-style birthday celebration.
As the protests unfold, they signal a growing resistance to the current administration's policies, echoing the enduring legacy of civil rights activism championed by leaders like John Lewis.
