Local residents will gather Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Big Catch Plaza in Des Moines to honor the legacy of late civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis through a “Good Trouble Lives On” National Day of Action.
Organized by Des Moines Indivisible and Seniors for the Constitution, the event will run from 4 – 6 p.m. Thursday at Big Catch Plaza (South 216th Street and Marine View Drive; map below).
The gathering marks the anniversary of Lewis’s death and calls on participants to carry forward his message of nonviolent activism.
“This is more than a protest; it’s a moral reckoning,” organizers said in an event announcement. “A continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead, and a new front in the struggle for freedom.”
The nationwide event aims to shine a light on what organizers call “attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration,” while reaffirming a core belief Lewis championed—that the power of democracy lies with the people.
Attendees are encouraged to engage peacefully and respectfully.
“A core principle behind our Good Trouble Lives On actions is a commitment to nonviolence in all we do,” the statement reads. “We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”
Organizers said the site is accessible, with flat terrain and nearby parking available along 7th Avenue South and lots east of Marine View Drive.
Lewis, who served in Congress for more than three decades and was a key figure in the civil rights movement, famously urged Americans to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble” in pursuit of justice.
Food Bank Fundraiser
Organizers will be doing another Food Drive for the Des Moines Food Bank during the demonstration, and are asking attendees to please bring non-perishable food to donate!
For more info, click here.
