Saturday

07-19-2025 Vol 2026

Chicago Protests Honor John Lewis and Criticize Trump Administration

Hundreds gathered Thursday evening at Daley Plaza for the “Good Trouble Lives On” protest, honoring the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis.

This demonstration, marking the fifth anniversary of Lewis’ death, served as a rallying cry against President Donald Trump’s policies and a call to action for civil rights.

A group of a few dozen protesters marched through the Loop from Federal Plaza to Daley Plaza, where they held signs featuring quotes from Lewis and messages condemning Trump.

As music echoed through the plaza, demonstrators awaited speakers who would both commend Lewis and remind the crowd of the ongoing struggles for civil rights.

Reverend Tanya Lozano of Healthy Hood Chicago stirred the crowd with a heartfelt prayer, stating, “We are the descendants of John Lewis, and we are not done yet. Let us go forward unafraid.”

Many in the crowd carried signs with messages like “Stop Trump” and “All of my outrage can’t fit on this sign,” while others depicted photographs of Lewis himself.

Chicago’s gathering was the flagship event of the fifth annual “Good Trouble Lives On: John Lewis Day of Action,” which featured peaceful protests around the nation in remembrance of Lewis, who frequently challenged Trump’s policies.

Simultaneous rallies were held in cities like Naperville, Highland Park, Elgin, and Crystal Lake, while demonstrations also occured nationally in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City.

This protest was inspired by Lewis’ famous quote, urging people to “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”

Organizers demanded an end to the Trump administration’s assault on civil rights and cuts to critical government programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security.

Speakers highlighted the need for continued activism, following a series of coordinated demonstrations across the nation that echoed themes from previous protests, like last month’s “No Kings” rally.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crowd, emphasizing the city’s commitment to not cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), asserting support for LGBTQ+ residents, and pledging to defend public education and reproductive rights.

His remarks were met with enthusiastic cheers, even as the crowd had thinned before his speech commenced.

As Johnson spoke, some attendees shouted, “That’s my mayor!”

He reminded the audience, “Congressman Lewis taught us that there are times when we must defy the status quo and push back against unjust laws. And let me tell you, that time is now.”

Johnson decried far-right policies, warning of an alarming trend towards authoritarianism and the need for unity in the face of divisive forces.

“There are divisive forces that are looking for us to turn on one another,” he cautioned. “This is a moment in which we have to turn towards one another.”

He also recognized the Chicago Teachers Union for their support during his campaign, thanking them for their commitment to teaching Black history, LGBTQ+ rights, and worker rights.

CTU President Stacy Davis-Gates followed with a vigorous reminder of the importance of learning from history, specifically condemning oppressive regimes, including fascism.

She urged attendees to organize and take action, culminating her speech with chants of, “whose country?” to which the crowd resoundingly replied, “our country.”

“Fascism doesn’t stop in the courts, but in the streets,” Davis-Gates concluded.

Representatives from the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, and Citizen Action Illinois were also present to voice their concerns and support.

Three protest attendees from Wrigleyville, Ann Harrison, Sherry Holland, and Judith Rose, expressed their outrage over the Trump administration’s actions, particularly in regard to recent cuts to federal agencies and ICE’s immigrant arrests.

“I take it all pretty personally because I love this country,” said Harrison.

Her friend Holland emphasized the necessity for local leaders to adopt a more aggressive stance against Trump’s policies.

“There should be no doubt that Chicago is against ICE,” she stated firmly.

Rose voiced her discontent with the fast-tracked bill that aims to rescind billions from public media funding approved by the Senate, noting that it would soon return to the House for another vote.

Returning to the protest stage, Deb Rosenberg with Indivisible Chicago highlighted the importance of passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a measure intended to restore and enhance protections from the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“Honestly, I think John Lewis would be telling us over and over and over that what we need to do is build unity,” Rosenberg said, stressing the need to resist chosen division propagating through MAGA extremists.

Jacky Grimshaw, chair of Chicago Women Take Action, drew comparisons between Trump and historical figures like King George III, dubbing Trump “the orange man,” and characterizing both as authoritarian leaders who sought to suppress dissent.

She asserted that the Declaration of Independence challenges Americans to continue resisting abusive governance and to uphold the values set forth by leaders like John Lewis.

image source from:chicago

Charlotte Hayes