On Thursday, July 17, around two hundred residents gathered in Reading as part of Good Trouble Lives On — a nationwide day of action honoring the life and legacy of civil rights hero Congressman John Lewis.
The local event, organized by Make the Road and a local Public Citizen volunteer, was one of hundreds coordinated actions across the country. Participants rallied and made “good trouble” to demand an end to the growing attacks on voting rights, civil liberties, and essential public programs.
“We showed up today because Congressman Lewis taught us that getting into ‘good trouble’ is how we change history,” said Phila Back of Kutztown. “Our democracy is under attack — and we won’t be silent while extremist politicians try to roll back our rights and erase our voices.”
The event featured speeches by local leaders and the crowd singing civil rights movement songs.
They highlighted john Lewis’ heroic work in the movement to enact the Voting Rights Act in 1965 and how its protections have been greatly eroded since the 2013 Shelby v Holder Supreme Court decision with gerrymandering and voter suppression policies imposed by state legislatures and courts. They urged everyone to vote in the November 4 statewide judicial elections to protect voting rights.
“I’m eager to be able to vote to have a voice in public affairs,” said Hillary Chavez, 17-year-old volunteer for Make the Road.
In the spirit of Congressman Lewis’ legacy, participants committed to continuing the fight for a multiracial democracy where every voice counts and every person has the freedom to thrive.
For more information about the national campaign, visit www.goodtroubleliveson.org.