“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”
—John Lewis, Selma, 2020
60 years ago, in the wake of the brutal violence of “Bloody Sunday,” President Johnson federalized the National Guard to protect the first amendment rights of thousands of activists marching from Selma to Montgomery for the right to vote. Now, a President who sees himself as America’s “king” is federalizing the National Guard to prevent peaceful protestors from exercising their first amendment rights. Our rights and democracy are under attack.
On July 17th, the anniversary of John Lewis’ passing, we will honor his legacy by making “Good Trouble” to protect our civil rights and free and fair elections once again.
We call on the liberty-loving people of Massachusetts to gather at 4:30pm in Copley Square to march for freedom and join us at 6pm at Liberty Mall on Boston Common for a peaceful and powerful rally for democracy that will be heard from Beacon Hill to Washington, DC.
Bring your signs showing support for voting rights, free and fair elections, the civil rights of our Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and transgender communities, the end of ICE raids, and opposition to the would-be king!
Schedule
4:30 PM | Gather at Copley Square
5:00 PM | March to Boston Common
6:00 PM | Rally on Liberty Mall
Speakers
Andrea Lyman, SAG-AFTRA New England Local President
Darlene Lombos, President and Principal Officer, Greater Boston Labor Council
John Gibbons, Minister of Good Trouble, Arlington Street Church
Rev. Kevin C. Peterson, founder and executive director of The New Democracy Coalition
Traci Griffith, Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU
Goals and Demands
We demand that Congress protect the right to vote and free and fair elections by passing the John Lewis Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
We demand an end to the attacks on Black, Brown, and Indigenous Americans, immigrants, transgender people, and other vulnerable communities, including—but not limited to—the immediate withdrawal of masked ICE agents and federal troops from American cities and towns.
We demand an end to the defunding of federal programs that poor and working people rely on, including—but not limited to—Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security, and the restoration of appropriated funds and federal agencies that have been illegally cut and dismantled without Congressional approval.
We demand an end to the lawless and unconstitutional behavior of the current President of the United States, who has previously attempted to illegally and violently overturn the results of a free and fair election, and must be prevented from doing so again.
Official Flyer
Partners
This is a nonviolent action. We expect all participants to remain peaceful and to try to de-escalate any potential confrontations.
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For more questions, email info@mass50501.com
Mass 50501 is a 100% volunteer led organization. Donations help us safely host events and uplift the community. If you’re able, please consider supporting. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you!