Note: This post contains useful information about large-scale upcoming events that are based in politics. It’s meant as a way for our readers to plan their travels this Thursday and is not political commentary. We don’t care which side of the political fence you lean on, who you voted for, or what you think of any government entity. Politically charged comments to this (and any other) post, regardless of whether it’s left or right leaning, will not be approved.
Part of the First Amendment, which covers the freedom of speech, is the right to peacefully assemble, which includes protests. Upwards of five million Americans in 2,000 cities took part in such peaceful protests on June 14th, during what was called No Kings Day.
It appears that another large-scale mobilization will take place later on this week.
John Lewis National Day of Action
The late Representative John Lewis devoted his life to racial justice and equality. Besides serving in the House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in 2020, he served as a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, organized the March on Washington in lockstep with Martin Luther King Jr. and served in the Atlanta City Council.
Lewis was also well-known as an orator. One of his most famous sayings was posted as, of all things, a tweet, in June 2018:
Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.
Lewis passed away from Stage IV pancreatic cancer on July 17, 2020. Since then, Goodtroubleliveson.org has organized an annual national day of action to respond to the attacks on many Americans’ civil and human rights by the Trump administration. The goal of their John Lewis National Day of Action is to remind the government that in America, the power lies with the people.
From Goodtroubleliveson.org:
Coined by civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis, “Good Trouble” is the action of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change.
The civil rights leaders of the past have shown us the power of collective action. That’s why on July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, communities across the country will take to the streets, courthouses, and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all.
This will be the fifth annual John Lewis National Day of Action, and organizers believe it will far surpass the event count from previous years. More than 1,600 events across the United States and several other countries, are scheduled to engage in “Good Trouble Lives On” on July 17.
Goodtroubleliveson.org is partnering with over 160 other non-profits, including:
- ACLU
- American Constitution Society
- American Humanist Association
- Bulletproof Pride
- Catholics Vote Common Good
- Center for Common Ground
- Declaration for American Democracy
- Disability Culture Lab
- Faithful America
- Human Rights Campaign
- Jewish Council for Public Affairs
- League of Women Voters
- Mi Familia en Acción
- National Education Association
- National Urban League
- Rock the Vote
- SEIU
- Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
- Veterans for Peace
- Women’s March
- 50501
Again, we don’t care how you feel about the current state of the United States. However, we do want our readers to know that, as of this writing, Good Trouble Lives On will affect several cities (in some cases, dozens upon dozens of them) in every state in the country, as well as select towns in Canada, Ireland, England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Australia and the Dominican Republic.
Plan accordingly
If you’re planning on being out and about that day – perhaps as a visitor, perhaps as a local – you may want to check and see where demonstrations will be taking place, so you can plan your day accordingly.
To reiterate, this post is intended as a guide for our readers to plan their travels this Thursday and is not a political commentary. We don’t care which side of the political fence you lean on, who you voted for, or what you think of any government entity. Politically charged comments to this post will not be approved.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
