Make some good trouble and save our democracy, Kansas City | Opinion
Indivisible Kansas City is joining with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and other Kansas City-based organizations to commemorate the fifth anniversary of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ passing and to celebrate his work helping to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1964.
The Voting Rights Act of 1964’s preclearance provisions were gutted in the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder. Further decisions in the Eighth Circuit have ruled that voters cannot file suits on voting rights, only the Department of Justice can bring those claims.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act were proposed by the late congressman to reinforce and enshrine essential voting rights.
This John Lewis Day of Action is designed to honor the civil rights organizers and the tradition of civil rights organizing as we call on leaders to move forward in pushing for both of these important pieces of legislation.
If you are not familiar with who Lewis is, I suggest you look him up. He lived his entire life fighting for civil rights and voter protections.
He is a true American hero and coined the phrase, “good trouble.”
Good trouble is the act of coming together to take peaceful, nonviolent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change. Good trouble is marches, protests, service work — any action where communities come together, take a stand against wrongdoings and speak truth to power.
John Lewis didn’t wait for permission to demand change as an activist, or congressman — and neither will we. He taught us that nonviolent direct action is a moral force, and that we must confront injustice wherever it lives — whether in the halls of power, in the courts or on our own streets.
On July 17, we’re sending a clear message. In the United States, the power lies in the hands of the people. We demand an end to:
The Trump administration’s extreme crackdown on our civil rights — from our right to vote to our right to protest and speak freely.
Politicians and lawmakers targeting Black and brown Americans, immigrants, transgender people and others with hateful, dangerous policies.
The wealthy and well-connected slashing programs that working people rely on — including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Social Security — to line their own pockets.
We will carry on the work that John Lewis began. We will save democracy.
On the evening of July 17 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the bandstand at Swope Park (Watermelon Hill), we will celebrate the life and work of Rep. Lewis. We will celebrate with speakers from various organizations, singers and music. This is a peaceful, nonviolent rally.
This is our moment to carry the torch, continue the legacy of John Lewis and pass it forward to future generations.
As he told us: “We are not spectators to history. We are the makers of it.”