Planned mass demonstrations across the country in opposition to Trump's strict immigration policies and healthcare reductions.
In cities across the United States, more than 1,600 locations will see protests against President Donald Trump's controversial policies on Thursday, as part of the "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action. This event, inspired by the late civil rights leader John Lewis, is expected to focus on issues such as voting rights, immigration policies, and economic inequality.
Chicago will serve as the flagship city for these protests, with a rally scheduled to take place downtown in the afternoon. The event will include a candlelight vigil to honor John Lewis, the youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, who was beaten by police during the Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Lewis, who passed away in 2020 following an advanced pancreatic cancer diagnosis, was also elected to Congress in 1986.
Betty Magness, executive vice president of the League of Women Voters Chicago, is one of the organisers of the Chicago protests. Major protests are also planned in Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland, California, and Annapolis, Maryland.
The protests in Chicago will have a lively tone, with a DJ present, but organisers are calling for them to be peaceful. Pushback against Trump's policies has centred on deportations and immigration enforcement tactics, as well as issues related to voting rights and economic inequality.
Organisers of the protests are part of a coalition of groups, including Public Citizen, a nonprofit with a stated mission of taking on corporate power. Protests against Trump's policies have been a recurring theme in recent months, with events such as the "No Kings" demonstrations in June 2020, where millions of people marched in hundreds of events from New York to San Francisco, labelling Trump as a dictator and would-be king.
Advocates have pushed for bills like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and ensure federal oversight of election changes in states with discriminatory records. Protests have also targeted Trump's immigration policies, including mass deportations and the expansion of detention facilities. The protests have also addressed economic policies that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income households, such as tax cuts for the wealthy and cuts to social programs like Medicaid.
In recent weeks, federal authorities conducted mass arrests at two Southern California marijuana farms, resulting in one farmworker's death. Thousands of protesters began taking to the streets in Los Angeles in response to Trump's actions on June 8th.
The "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action is a testament to John Lewis's legacy and his commitment to peaceful, nonviolent action to challenge injustice and protect democracy. It serves as a reminder that the fight for civil and human rights continues, and that the voices of the people will be heard.
- Despite the ongoing protests against President Donald Trump's policies, such as those concerning voting rights, immigration, and economic inequality, organizers like Betty Magness, executive vice president of the League of Women Voters Chicago, have emphasized the need for these events to remain peaceful.
- As concerns about various issues, including science, health-and-wellness, politics, and general news, continue to permeate public discourse, the "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action reflects the ongoing fight for civil and human rights, reminding citizens of John Lewis's commitment to nonviolent action for justice and democracy.
