SDARJ “Good Trouble Lives On” Commemorative Rally
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The John Lewis Good Trouble Lives On is being moved due to extreme heat.
We are doing this out of an abundance of caution for our attendees, some of whom are senior citizens and are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat conditions. The “Feels Like” heat index is expected to be over 103 degrees. The actual temperature at the start of the event is expected to be 91 degrees. The sand will be very hot.
We apologize for this inconvenience, but your safety rises above all other concerns.
The indoors event will still start at 6:00 pm and will end at 7:30. The program will go on as planned. Please pass this along to all people you know who were planning to attend.
The new location will be indoors at Epworth United Methodist Church at 19285 Holland Glade Rd.
Heat Advisory from National Weather Service.
Severity: Moderate
Possible threat to life or property
Weather Event Onset
10:00 AM (EDT), July 17
Description
- WHAT…Heat index values up to 106 degrees expected.
- WHERE…Portions of central and southern Delaware, northeast Maryland, and southern New Jersey.
- WHEN…From 10 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening.
- IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Action Recommended
Execute a pre-planned activity as instructed in the Description.
Urgency
Take action within next hour.
Affected Area
Inland Sussex
Issued By
National Weather Service
View Alert Source
EVENT DETAILS
Are you ready to make “Good Trouble”? Join us for an unforgettable evening as we honor the enduring legacy of Congressman John Lewis and unite as a community to defend our civil and human rights.
On the anniversary of John Lewis’s passing, we gather to remember. This event is more than a rally—it’s a living call to action, echoing Lewis’s famous charge to stand up, speak out, and demand justice for all. For decades, John Lewis inspired us to confront injustice with courage and nonviolence, reminding us that democracy thrives when we challenge unfair systems and protect equal rights.
Join Southern Delaware for Racial Justice, alongside community partners, notable speakers, and activists, for an evening of solidarity, song, and action. This is not a protest, but a rally to reaffirm that in America, democracy endures when we stand up for one another.
Let’s honor John Lewis by making “Good Trouble” together—protecting our right to vote, resisting authoritarianism, and building a more just and inclusive future. The spirit of Selma lives on in each of us, and our voices will not be silenced.
- If it rains, the event will be relocated to Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road. Lewes, DE 19958—1.9 miles or a 7-minute drive from Johnny Walker Beach. Any venue changes will be announced by 3 pm.
- Bring Beach Chairs
WATCH: John Lewis Interview: Finding Hope in Challenging Times & Overcoming Hatred
John Lewis reflects on the struggle against segregation in the 1960s. He discusses the moral imperative to fight against racial discrimination, the transformative power of nonviolence, and emphasizes the need for continued unity and progress.
About John Lewis
John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American civil rights activist and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. He participated in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins and the Freedom Rides, was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966, and was one of the “Big Six” leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. Fulfilling many key roles in the civil rights movement and its actions to end legalized racial segregation in the United States, in 1965 Lewis led the first of three Selma to Montgomery marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where, in an incident that became known as Bloody Sunday, state troopers and police attacked Lewis and the other marchers.
A member of the Democratic Party, Lewis was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 and served 17 terms. The district he represented included most of Atlanta. Due to his length of service, he became the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. He was one of the leaders of the Democratic Party in the House, serving from 1991 as a chief deputy whip and from 2003 as a senior chief deputy whip. He received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Who Was John Lewis?
John Lewis grew up in an era of racial segregation. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., he joined the burgeoning civil rights movement. Lewis was a Freedom Rider, spoke at 1963’s March on Washington and led the demonstration that became known as “Bloody Sunday.” He was elected to Congress in 1986 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.
Early Life
John Robert Lewis was born outside of Troy, Alabama, on February 21, 1940. Lewis had a happy childhood — though he needed to work hard to assist his sharecropper parents — but he chafed against the unfairness of segregation. He was particularly disappointed when the Supreme Court ruling in 1954’s Brown v. The Board of Education didn’t affect his school life. However, hearing King’s sermons and news of the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott inspired Lewis to act for the changes he wanted to see.
Civil Rights Struggle
In 1957, Lewis left Alabama to attend the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he learned about nonviolent protest and helped to organize sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. He was arrested during these demonstrations, which upset his mother, but Lewis was committed to the civil rights movement and went on to participate in the Freedom Rides of 1961.
Freedom Riders challenged the segregated facilities they encountered at interstate bus terminals in the South, which had been deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. It was dangerous work that resulted in arrests and beatings for many involved, including Lewis.
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