
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.

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.

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.