John Lewis

Good Trouble Lives On

March of the seniors from Generations for Justice that started the rally (Photo by HamsterBob)
March of the seniors from Generations for Justice that started the rally (Photo by HamsterBob)

Over 1,200 people stood together on July 17, 2025 in King Plaza, Palo Alto to commemorate the 5th year anniversary of Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis’ passing, advocate for the voting rights’ legislation, and bring attention to the attacks on the rights and access to vote. Organized locally by It's Blue Turn, Indivisible Palo Alto Plus, National Voter Corps, Center for Common Ground, Bay Area Coalition, League of Women Voters of Palo Alto, Swing Left Peninsula, and Fridays for Future. Part of over 1600 events nationwide in the coalition by Indivisible, League of Women Voters, SURJ, 50501, Mi Familia Vota and more.

94-year-old Clarence Jones talking about his friend John Lewis (ProBonoPhoto/Jim Colton)
94-year-old Clarence Jones talking about his friend John Lewis (ProBonoPhoto/Jim Colton)

Martin Luther King Jr's personal lawyer, Clarence Jones — a scholar at Stanford's MLK Institute who ensured the copyright of the "I have dream" speech and smuggled MLK’s letter out of Birmingham Jail — spoke about his friend, John Lewis. LWVPA championed the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, D.C. Statehood, and the Native American Voting Rights Act to restore protections lost after the Shelby County v. Holder decision. Carolyn Hoskins, founder of the Black History Museum in Redwood City, spoke about Black Americans’ overlooked inventions and her struggle to build a space that honors those who’ve fought for democracy. Gregg Castro of the Ramaytush Ohlone Tribe reminded everyone of the genocide of tribes who lived here for thousands of years. California Clean Money Campaign advocated for its newest effort in support of SB 42. Alice Smith of the National Voter Corps spoke against the SAVE ACT that will endanger voting rights for millions of Americans. Emcee, Retired Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell, closed with John Lewis’s final words.

Large crowd listening to speeches (Photo by HamsterBob)
Large crowd listening to speeches (Photo by HamsterBob)

The music provided moments of shared connection as the crowd joined in singing “Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round” and We Shall Overcome with the Eastside College Preparatory School Choir and Alumni, and California State Senator Josh Becker rocked out with the Mitchell Park Band. Attendees wrote postcards to register voters, took selfies in pro-democracy photo frames, played a “Pillars of Democracy” game, signed petitions, and engaged in other types of activism at more than 15 tables staffed by local grassroots organizations. One table was even staffed by 8-year-old Addy, who oversaw a coloring activity with crayons and a “John Lewis in Selma” coloring page. In the spirit of John Lewis, it was a vibrant evening of good trouble that brought together community, history, and civic engagement.

Read more in the Palo Alto Online and see more photos by Pro Bono Photo.

What to do next

First, put on appropriate background music with this Good Trouble Spotify Music List created by our friends in Missouri, and then, take immediate action with our organizers, sponsors, and friends:

Action 1: Write postcards to register voters and letters to get out the vote among underrepresented groups: from home or at our weekly parties.

Action 2: Call voters with our phone banking team.

It's Blue Turn advances our democracy by driving electoral change, protecting access and ability to vote, fighting disinformation, supporting Democratic party infrastructure in rural districts, and generally resisting Trump's destruction of America.

See more actions and details about It's Blue Turn Indivisible

Action 1: Email your Senator today to oppose the SAVE Act and protect our elections! After you send your email, call your Senators at 833-346-1779.

Action 2: Sign up with Center for Common Ground to hear about our voter mobilization work for the Virginia General Election: GOTV in Virginia

Center for Common Ground empowers voters of color by providing clear, personalized voting info and year-round community support. Through Reclaim Our Vote and Democracy Centers, we help ensure every voice is heard and every voter can cast a ballot.

See more actions and details about Center for Common Ground

Action: Help us educate voters in every Congressional District in states that impose barriers on voting and voter education.

National Voter Corps educates voters and policymakers on voting rights, shares free resources, promotes a 50-state map of nonpartisan orgs, and supports outreach, election protection, and fair administration.

See more actions and details about National Voter Corps

Action 1: Help register voters in the Central Valley! Sign up for a voter registration drive or learn how to organize your own.

Action 2: Join us as we go door-to-door to talk to voters in our nearest swing district. Central Valley canvasses are happening now!

The Bay Area Coalition harnesses the power of Bay Area and California activists to help Democrats win elections. We are a coalition of over 60 grassroots groups. (Learn how to host a House Party here.)

See more actions and details about Bay Area Coalition

Action 1:Join us at our regular #TeslaTakedown protests: we've got costumes and music and we take down fascists! El Camino Wednesdays 4-6pm and Saturdays 1-3pm; Stanford Shopping Center Saturdays 12-2pm.

Action 2: Write to reach and register voters at home with Sue every Saturday 10-12pm.

IPA+ is a joyful, action-driven community defending democracy on the SF Peninsula and beyond. They unite diverse voices and use laughter, creativity, and connection to sustain momentum in the long, hard work of resisting authoritarianism.

See more actions and details about Indivisible Palo Alto Plus

Action 1: Send GOTV letters for Pennsylvania's Supreme Court elections (pick up free letters from a porch near you or attend a party on the Peninsula).

Action 2: Make calls for Virginia's November elections.

Swing Left Peninsula works to elect Democrats in close races, often in CA, NV, and AZ. We focus on high-impact efforts like letters, calls, canvassing, and fundraising. New and experienced activists are welcome.

See more actions and details about Swing Left Peninsula

Action 1: Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act that will disenfranchise millions of voters.

Action 2: Urge your members of Congress to stand up for our democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto is a nonpartisan group empowering informed voting and civic engagement. LWV Palo Alto educates voters, advocates on public policy, and organizes events to strengthen democracy. Membership is open to all 16+.

See more actions and details about League of Women Voters of Palo Alto

Action 1: Sign up for Summer Recess In-district Lobby Visits to discuss important bills with your state legislators. Training will be provided on July 22, 2025.

Action 2: Attend ACLU-NorCal monthly immigration series. Next Webinar will be held on August 5, 2025 at 5:30pm.

The ACLU Santa Clara County Chapter works locally to protect civil rights and liberties by monitoring government actions, organizing events, and advocating for justice, equality, and freedom, ensuring constitutional rights are upheld for all.

See more actions and details about Santa Clara County Chapter of the ACLU of Northern California

Action 1: Sign a petition to expand non-police emergency response - TRUST.

Action 2: Register to vote and make sure your family and friends are registered: https://registertovote.ca.gov/

SURJ CC organizes white people and those with privilege to work for racial justice. Partnering with Black, Latinx, and Indigenous-led groups, we support their priorities and leverage privilege to help win meaningful change.

See more actions and details about Showing Up for Racial Justice Santa Clara County (SURJ SCC)

Action 1:Call Senator Adam Schiff (415-393-0707) and Senator Alex Padilla (415-981-9369) to vote NO on the SAVE Act that will prevent millions of current voters from voting.

Action 2: Get involved in Rapid Response Network to protect your neighbors.

Indivisible Mid-Peninsula protects our democracy by resisting the MAGA agenda, pushing for equity and justice at all levels of government, supporting vulnerable communities, and building grassroots power to achieve electoral victories in 2025 and beyond.

See more actions and details about Indivisible Mid-Peninsula

Summer 2025 is heating up—and so is the fight for our communities and our democracy. Join our community meeting in Menlo Park on August 2 to get grounded together, get clear on how we got here, then get organized for the work ahead!

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national organization that brings hundreds of thousands of white people into fights for racial and economic justice. Our Menlo Park circle organizes locally in support of SURJ's national campaigns and actions.

See more actions and details about Showing Up for Racial Justice

California Clean Money Campaign

Action 1: Sign the support petition for SB 42 to repeal the ban on public financing of campaigns so any local government and the state itself could amplify the voices of everyday voters and ensure elections are won not bought

Action 2: Ask your organization to endorse SB 42.

California Clean Money Campaign works to reduce Big Money in politics. It passed laws like the Ballot DISCLOSE Act and now promotes public campaign financing so voters have more power and candidates rely on people, not special interests.

See more actions and details about California Clean Money Campaign

Action 1: Attend our silent vigil every Friday, noon-1pm at the corner of El Camino & Embarcadero in Palo Alto.

Action 2: Join our monthly branch meeting (usually on Zoom and/or "live" the 3rd (or 4th) Saturday. Contact Judy Adams.

WILPF unites women worldwide to challenge war’s causes and promote peace, justice, and equality through feminist, pacifist, and anti-militarist action.

See more actions and details about Women's Intl. League for Peace and Freedom

Association of Ramaytush Ohlone

Action 1: Educate yourself about the Ramaytush Ohlone history and stewardship.

Action 2: Make a contribution to support Ramaytush community programs.

ARO is the Indigenous nonprofit representing the Ramaytush Tribe, original peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula. Its mission is to honor ancestral responsibilities to care for Mother Earth and to care for the people who reside in our ancestral homeland.

See more actions and details about Association of Ramaytush Ohlone


Program

5:00pm
  • Mitchell Park Band is playing
  • Action tables open
5:30pm
  • Generations for Justice marchers arrive in King Plaza
  • Retired Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell welcomes the crowd
  • Raging Grannies of the SF Peninsula sing along
  • Eastside College Preparatory School Choir + Alumni
6:00pm
  • Gregg Castro of the Ramaytush Ohlone Tribe honors the unceded land
  • Mauni Jalali, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law Attorney
  • Carolyn Hoskins, founder of Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center
  • Lisa Ratner, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto
  • Alice Smith, Founder of the National Voter Corps
  • Speakers from each action table share a one-minute call to action
  • LaDoris Cordell closing remarks
  • Singalong: This Little Light of Mine & We Shall Overcome
7:00pm
  • Program concludes

Notable Speakers & Musicians

LaDoris Cordell
LaDoris Cordell
Retired Superior Court Judge
Carolyn Hoskins
Carolyn Hoskins
Executive Director, Domini Hoskins Black History Museum
Mauni Jalali
Mauni Jalali
Civil Rights and Constitutional Law Attorney
“From the Founders to Lincoln to FDR to Dr. King—each generation faced the same choice we face today: Will We The People rise up to defend our democracy?”
Lisa Ratner
Lisa Ratner
President, League of Women Voters of Palo Alto
“Voters are more vulnerable to discrimination and voter suppression now than at any time since the Voting Rights Act was signed into law.”
Alice Smith
Alice Smith
Executive Director, National Voter Corps
Mitchell Park Band
The Mitchell Park Band
Palo Alto-based classic rock band covering hits from the 60s-90s.
Raging Grannies
The Raging Grannies
They use humor and song to fight for peace, feminism, racial justice, and rights.
Eastside College Preparatory School Choir
Eastside College Preparatory School Choir
Eastside serves students who are the first generation in their families to go to college.