Murals featuring a portrait of John Lewis and one of his famous quotes were centerpieces of an "Honor the Vote" event in Georgia in 2020. Credit: LCV
Since Trump took office in January, millions of people across the country, and the world, have consistently turned out to stand up against the his administration’s attacks on our civil and human rights. Following the huge crowds of 3 and 5 million that attended the Hands Off and No Kings rallies, respectively, the fight continues this Thursday, July 17, with the Good Trouble Lives On day of action. Here are the five key things to know about this nationwide peaceful protest, what it stands for, and how to join LCV and our partner organizations in causing Good Trouble.
Good Trouble Lives On is our moment to remind the world that power belongs to the people—not billionaires, extremist politicians, or wanna-be kings.
This nationwide day of action is our response to the Trump administration’s attacks on our civil and human rights. Coined by the late civil rights leader Representative John Lewis, the term “Good Trouble” is about coming together to peacefully confront injustice and fight for real change.
Representative John Lewis
On July 17, over 1,500 events across the country are uniting communities to Make Good Trouble through:
Donald Trump, his cronies in Congress, and their billionaire backers are attempting to take away our most fundamental rights, including:
Freedom of speech: Trump is attempting to silence opposing voices by threatening those who speak out against him, including deploying the National Guard to shut down peaceful protests in Los Angeles.
The right to vote: Trump and his allies are attempting to pass laws, like the SAVE Act, that would prevent millions of eligible voters from making their voices heard, specifically targeting Black, Brown, immigrant, and Indigenous voters.
The right to due process: Over the last several months, the Trump administration has ignored due process, which guarantees the right to a fair trial, and deported tens of thousands of people without granting them fair access to the courts.
The right to clean air and water: Trump and his allies in Congress want to strip our communities of the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water by reversing federal air and water protections and dismantling the clean energy industry.
Reproductive freedom: Extreme right-wing justices on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping women across the country of the right to life-saving medical care.
When we come together, we win.
Through collective action, we demand 3 simple things:
Stop the Trump administration’s extreme attack on our civil rights—from our right to vote, to protest, to speak freely, and everything in between;
End the dismantling of protections for our clean air, clean water, and our right to a healthy environment;
Stop Donald Trump and his billionaire cronies from lining their pockets at the expense of working people.
July 17 marks five years since Representative John Lewis’ death. He was a celebrated leader of the Civil Rights Movement and a lifelong advocate of nonviolent action and organizing.
In 1965, leaders like John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr. led marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they were met with brutal attacks by state troopers in their fight for voting rights. This pivotal moment was crucial in passing the Voting Rights Act—one of the most important laws of the Civil Rights Era—which aimed to protect Black communities’ right to vote and outlaw discriminatory voting policies.
At a recent LCV event, Senator Warnock looked back at the civil rights movement and the leadership of John Lewis, his parishioner in Atlanta, as inspiration for our path forward at this moment:
John Lewis never waited for permission to demand change, and neither will we.
Ready to stand up to injustice and make Good Trouble in your community?
Go to lcv.org/goodtrouble to find an event near you.
Together, we can continue John Lewis’ legacy and fight back against the extremists threatening our rights, our freedoms, and our democracy.
We know it can be intimidating to think of what to write on a protest sign, and creativity under pressure is hard. You don’t have to bring a sign, just your presence is enough, but if you’d like some ideas here is some inspiration. We encourage you to use classic United States visuals like the flag, red, white and blue, eagles, and the Statue of Liberty in your design to show that we’re the real patriots defending our nation and our democracy.
The classic: “Get in Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble”
“Freedom is not a state, it is an act” – John Lewis
“Only fossils like fossil fuels”
Reuse some flags from a 4th of July party and carry them to the protest
For the Beyhive: “Get the f*ck up out my house [drawing of the White House]” or “America Has a Problem”
For the Swifties: “I’m just mad as hell ’cause I loved this place”
For the Hamilton fans: “History has its eyes on you” or “Immigrants (We get the job done!)”
For Matilda fans: “Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty”
Draw a picture of the Statue of Liberty (or ask a kid you know to help).
Another classic: “There is no Planet B.”
Try a paraphrase from the Declaration of Independence, like “It is our right, our duty, to throw off such a Government.”
Have a favorite meme? Print it out and put it on your sign!
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©2025 League of Conservation Voters