Freedom & human rights

Nationwide 'Good Trouble' Protests Honor John Lewis Legacy

Published JUL 18 2025

Story

Above: Hundreds gather at Daley Plaza for the flagship 'Good Trouble Lives On' protest on July 17, 2025, in Chicago. Image credit: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Facts

More than 1,500 protests and events took place across all 50 states on Thursday to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader John Lewis. Organizers are expecting tens of thousands of participants in the "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action.
guardian
Washingtonexaminer
Good Trouble Lives On
Chicago served as the flagship city for the demonstrations, with additional major events held in Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland, California, and Annapolis, Maryland, featuring rallies, marches, and candlelight vigils.
CNN
Washingtonexaminer
Protesters opposed Trump administration policies, including mass deportations, immigration enforcement tactics, cuts to Medicaid, and what organizers described as attacks on voting rights and free speech.
PBS NewsHour
The Arizona Republic
The demonstrations honored John Lewis, who died in 2020 at age 80 and was known for coining the phrase "good trouble" to describe nonviolent civil disobedience, having led the 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama.
FOX 32 Chicago
CNN
Time
The protests were largely peaceful nationwide, though Arizona police responded to an incident where a counterprotester was accused of brandishing a gun at demonstrators.
guardian
The Arizona Republic
White House officials dismissed concerns about the protests, with spokeswoman Liz Huston stating that nearly 80 million Americans gave President Donald Trump "a historic mandate" and he is delivering on campaign promises "in record time."
CNN
Washingtonexaminer
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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

When healthcare is gutted, neighbors vanish in raids, and workers are silenced, "good trouble" isn't radical, it's necessary. These protests honor John Lewis by defending the voiceless, the sick, and the working poor. When billionaires thrive while hospitals close, conscience demands resistance — it's compassion in action. Silence now would be betrayal.

KQED

Pro-establishment narrative

When protests can be bought and funded by shadowy interests, their moral high ground collapses. The Good Trouble Live On Protest demands scrutiny, not celebration. When riot choreography is for sale and linked to politically entangled nonprofits, how can we trust the outrage is genuine? Real justice cannot be brokered. It's earned — honestly.

FOX News