Six years after congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis died, hundreds gathered at Foley Square honoring his legacy by getting into what he famously called: “good trouble.”
What You Need To Know
Organizers say they’re responding to what they describe as increasing attacks on Black and immigrant communities, with voting rights at the center of their concerns
The late Rep. John Lewis helped lead and nearly lost his life marching for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, helping galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act later that year
Demonstrators say protections he fought for are being weakened, not only by President Donald Trump, but by the courts
Organizers say they’re responding to what they describe as increasing attacks on Black and immigrant communities, with voting rights at the center of their concerns.
“I’m all about good trouble. It’s important that we come together, and we occupy spaces like this and have our voices be heard because if we don’t, the powers that be will do it for us,” Manhattan resident Joffy Jo said.
“Good trouble to me means always doing what you feel is morally right,” Brooklyn resident Debbie Campbell said.
Lewis helped lead and nearly lost his life marching for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, helping galvanize support for the Voting Rights Act later that year.
But demonstrators say protections he fought for are being weakened, not only by President Donald Trump but by the courts.
“This Supreme Court under John Roberts has sought to tear down voting rights, and he’s succeeded,” Manhattan resident Merily Mclaughlin said.
Recent Supreme Court decisions have restricted the use of the Voting Rights Act in redistricting cases, and made some racial gerrymandering challenges more difficult to prove.
“We can’t just stand back and say, ‘What a shame.’ We have to do something about it,” activist and mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr, said.
The rally also follows Trump’s call Thursday for tighter voting laws, and his renewed challenge to his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden.
Courts, recounts, audits and federal investigations found no fraud sufficient to overturn his loss.
“We have to fight like we have never fought before. They are taking down the Voting Rights Act in front of our faces. They took down affirmative action. They’re taking away Black History,” Queens resident Rev. Ronald McHenry said.