“Good Trouble Lives On”: Coachella Valley Honors Civil Rights Icon John Lewis

A powerful movement is sweeping the nation—and now, it’s making its mark in the Coachella Valley. Local organizers have joined a growing nationwide initiative to honor the life and legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis, one of America’s most revered civil rights leaders. The event, which is already at full capacity with 500 people, aims to do more than commemorate—it seeks to educate and inspire. Lewis, who died in 2020, was a giant in the fight for justice. In his early 20s, he played a pivotal role in key moments of the Civil Rights Movement, including the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and the historic Selma marches of 1965. He later served more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he continued to champion voting rights, economic equality, and nonviolent activism.

“You see something that is not right, not just, not fair—you have to say something. You have to do something,” Lewis once said. That spirit is at the heart of this week’s remembrance.

Rather than a protest, the local event hosted by the nonprofit Brothers Vincent is described as a gathering of reflection, education, and community building. “It really is about educating people about John Lewis’s legacy, how important he was to American history,” said one organizer. “We want the community to understand what Good Trouble means—and that together, we are stronger than any challenge.”

The phrase "Good Trouble," coined by Lewis, has become a rallying cry for generations of activists. It encourages people to engage in peaceful disruption to address injustice—a message that resonates deeply today.

"John Lewis was a connector,” said one community member. “What he’s still bringing to us is the reminder that we can rise through the challenges we face if we lean on each other and honor our shared humanity.”

More than 1,000 “Good Trouble” events have been organized nationwide, reinforcing Lewis’s belief in the power of collective action and civic responsibility. Organizers in the Coachella Valley hope the impact of their event stretches far beyond a single evening.

“It’s not just about how Good Trouble began,” said an attendee. “It’s about how we carry it forward.”

As the community gathers to remember Congressman Lewis, they are also planting seeds for a future built on his enduring principles—nonviolence, justice, and the unshakable belief that, together, we can be invincible. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs.