Across the United States, outrage is growing as Americans take to the streets to oppose President Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown and proposed cuts to essential healthcare programs. On Thursday, more than 1,600 peaceful demonstrations and public gatherings unfolded under the coordinated campaign titled “Good Trouble Lives On”—a tribute to the late Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis. A multiracial coalition of civic groups, including activist nonprofit Public Citizen, led the protests. The groups have a unifying goal of pushing back against policies many believe disproportionately impact low-income families, immigrants, and other disenfranchised groups. Protesters were outraged at what they perceived as an increasingly disconnected government from average Americans.
Carrying the Torch of Civil Rights
The protest day was not only a gesture of resistance but also a celebration of John Lewis’s legacy. Lewis, who passed away in 2020, is perhaps most famous for his involvement in some of the most pivotal events in the history of the civil rights movement. He gained national recognition after the 1965 march in Selma, where he was violently assaulted by the police for peacefully protesting for the right to vote.
Thursday’s actions sought to translate that same “good trouble” into the present, calling Americans to rise in defense of dignity, equality, and justice. From Oakland to Atlanta, from Chicago to Annapolis, people took to the streets with signs, song, and candles, combining activism and remembrance. In Chicago, there was both a candlelight vigil and a high-energy rally with music, fitting both the solemnity of the cause and the hope that change isn’t dead.
Increasing Backlash Against Immigration Raids and Health Cuts
Immigration tensions have been rising slowly in Trump’s second term. Only last month, groups of gun-wielding federal agents stormed marijuana greenhouses in Southern California in search of illegal workers. During one of them, an employee plunged to his death from a greenhouse roof during the melee. The raids have caused many communities to go into hiding, not knowing who the next target will be.
In Los Angeles, protests reached a peak after National Guard soldiers were sent to protect immigration enforcement officers as they conducted sweeps of arrests. Thousands took to the streets in opposition, demanding an end to what many see as militarized immigration policies.
Simultaneously, the government’s proposal to gut Medicaid funding has triggered widespread alarm, particularly among low-income families and undocumented immigrants who rely on the program to gain access to lifesaving care. Activists fear that such cuts will shut millions of individuals out of doctors, medication, or even basic healthcare.
Last month’s protests, such as the “No Kings” rallies of June 14, revealed the depth of public discontent. Those protests—marshaled in dozens of cities—decried Trump’s increasingly autocratic actions, including the reliance on military-style parades and enhanced executive powers. Protesters claim that they’re not just opposing policies—they’re defending the principle of a government that exists to serve and protect all its citizens.
What Comes Next
Organizers of Thursday’s protests claim this is the beginning of a broader national campaign to protect the rights of low-income Americans and immigrants. As raids continue and healthcare cuts loom, civic groups and concerned citizens alike are steeling themselves for prolonged resistance.
For timely updates and analysis on immigration enforcement and related immigration issues, visit ImmigrationQuestion.com. Get answers to your immigration questions from licensed immigration attorneys. For attorneys, use our innovative 2-in-1 case management software to grow your practice. Download our free app on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
Resources:
- https://apnews.com/article/good-trouble-john-lewis-where-protests-trump-9f6075dd84f5ae451736c3e66303ceef
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/17/us/good-trouble-john-lewis-protests-trump-hnk
- https://www.arabnews.com/node/2608498
**ImmigrationQuestion.com is a third-party platform that serves as a meeting ground between licensed immigration attorneys and people with immigration questions. It is not a law firm. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by USCIS or AILA. Attorneys on this platform are independent and have the discretion to offer a free consultation and/or set their own fees under the law.
