John Lewis

Good Trouble Lives On

July 18, 2026 — Mountain View

On July 18, 2026, community members gathered at the Democratic Volunteer Center in Mountain View to honor Congressman John Lewis by carrying his work forward. Together, participants wrote postcards and letters to voters, met local democracy organizations, listened to community leaders, and joined in music led by Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley.

This page preserves photos, highlights, the program, and ways to continue the work after the 2026 event.

A wide view of the Good Trouble Lives On gathering at the Democratic Volunteer Center in Mountain View
Community members gathered throughout the Democratic Volunteer Center to write, meet local organizations, and celebrate John Lewis's legacy. Photo by Zach Lovett / Pro Bono Photo.
Participants writing postcards and letters at tables
Participants wrote postcards and letters to voters. Photo by Jillian Lovett.

Democracy in action

The heart of the gathering was sustained civic action. Participants sat together at tables to write 440 postcards to Black voters in Georgia and 75 letters to newly registered young voters in Pennsylvania designed to register, educate, and mobilize. Volunteers helped newcomers get started, while local organizations, such as ACLU and The Third Act, offered additional ways to protect voting rights and strengthen democracy.

Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley leading the room in song
Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley led the room in song. Photo by Jillian Lovett / Pro Bono Photo.

Music, speakers, and community

Music connected the morning's practical work to the longer tradition of movement organizing. Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley led in shared songs, and singer Nova Jimenez brought her soaring voice to the program.

Rev. Kaloma Smith of University AME Zion Church spoke to the gathering about the challenges of the current time, and Rebeca Armendariz offered sobering but hopeful closing remarks. John Lewis's legacy requires us to do the work: to defend voting rights, resist efforts to silence voters, and build durable local communities committed to democratic participation.

Snapshots from Good Trouble Lives On

What to do next

First, put on appropriate background music with this Good Trouble Spotify Music List created by our friends in Missouri, and then, take immediate action with our organizers, sponsors, and friends:

Action 1: Write postcards to register voters and letters to get out the vote among underrepresented groups: from home or at our weekly parties.

Action 2: Educate our community with our weekly visibility brigade.

Blue Turn Indivisible advances our democracy by driving electoral change, protecting access and ability to vote, fighting disinformation, supporting pro-democracy infrastructure in rural districts, and generally resisting Trump's destruction of America.

See more actions and details about Blue Turn Indivisible

Action 1: Educate your community about the harms of the Voter ID ballot measure and vote "NO" on Prop 39 in the General Election on Nov. 3, 2026.

Action 2: Tell your U.S. Senators to stop anti-voter bills.

The non-partisan, non-profit ACLU of Northern California defends civil liberties via advocacy and litigation. Our Santa Clara County volunteers are its eyes and ears, working on voting rights, immigrant rights, and criminal justice.

See more actions and details about the SCC Chapter of ACLU-NorCal

Action 1: Go door-to-door to talk to Democratic voters about Randy Villegas in CD-22. We have access to supporter housing and stipends for canvassers in CD-22.

Action 2: Go door-to-door to talk to Democratic voters about Adam Gray in CD-13, our nearest swing district in the Central Valley.

The Bay Area Coalition is a collective of over 60 organizations focused on Democratic voter turnout in swing districts. We support and offer training, phone banking, voter registration, and canvassing. Our midterm priority is to help take back the House majority by focusing on CD-22 and CD-13.

See more actions and details about Bay Area Coalition

Action 1: Learn about Ranked Choice Voting and California's campaign to expand its use.

Action 2: Support the Santa Clara County petition to bring Ranked Choice Voting to the county and its cities.

The California Ranked Choice Voting Coalition is a grassroots organization that educates the public about Ranked Choice Voting and works to expand its use through local campaigns across California.

See more actions and details about the California Ranked Choice Voting Coalition

Action 1: Endorse Proposition 4 to support public financing of election campaigns in California.

Action 2: Volunteer with our Peninsula Action Group to help with outreach, phone calls, tabling, social media, events, and more.

Californians for Fair Elections is working to pass Proposition 4, which would allow cities, counties, and the state to adopt public financing of campaigns, helping candidates compete without relying on billionaire funding.

See more actions and details about Californians for Fair Elections

Center for Common Ground empowers voters of color by providing clear, personalized voting info and year-round community support. Through Reclaim Our Vote and Democracy Centers, we help ensure every voice is heard and every voter can cast a ballot.

The voter concerns identified throughout the year by the Center for Common Ground’s community outreach programs are written into the postcards sent to voters by Reclaim Our Vote volunteers, making the postcards personal and relevant to voters’ lives. Districts that get postcards have higher voter turnout rates!

See more actions and details about Center for Common Ground

Action 1: Make calls to critical states and must-win elections.

Action 2: Send postcards and letters to engage voters and make sure they are registered and planning to vote.

The DVC is a one-stop campaign field headquarters established and staffed to elect Democrats, pass progressive initiatives, and reduce candidate campaign expenses. The DVC provides support and infrastructure for volunteers campaigning across the country.

See more actions and details about Democratic Volunteer Center

Action 1: Invite one of our trainers to come to a presentation about election protection, fighting authoritarianism, and what we all can be doing.

Action 2: Come get inspired and connected at the screening of Lightworkers on July 25.

Indivisible Mid-Peninsula works to protect and strengthen our democracy by building community and taking action together. Our goals are to resist the MAGA agenda, advocate for policies that promote equity and social justice at all levels of government, support vulnerable communities, and build a powerful grassroots movement to win elections in November 2026 and beyond.

See more actions and details about Indivisible Mid-Peninsula

Action 1: Attend "Intro to Community Organizing," a session on July 23 that will train attendees in a form of civic participation called Structure Based Organizing.

Action 2: Register for an event on July 29 with the authors of "On Courage," a new book that—in the tradition of John Lewis—aims to help people become fearless activists.

Indivisible Palo Alto Plus unites people of varied backgrounds across the SF Bay Peninsula to stand against authoritarianism and protect democratic values. We are a nonviolent, action-oriented community that combines grassroots activism with joy.

See more actions and details about Indivisible Palo Alto Plus

Action 1: Tell your Senators to oppose the SAVE Act that will disenfranchise millions of voters.

Action 2: Urge your members of Congress to stand up for our democracy.

The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto is a nonpartisan group empowering informed voting and civic engagement. LWV Palo Alto educates voters, advocates on public policy, and organizes events to strengthen democracy. Membership is open to all 16+.

See more actions and details about League of Women Voters of Palo Alto

Action 1: Join us!

Action 2: Check out our songbook and learn some songs.

Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley is a group grounded in love, non-violence, and solidarity. We sing relevant, simple songs for the world we want to create; we build community, uplift, amplify, educate, and resist oppression! All are welcome!

See more about Singing Resistance of Silicon Valley

Action 1: Make calls with 5 Calls.

Action 2: Canvass voters with Ground Truth.

Since 2017, South Bay Swing Left's grassroots volunteers have worked to elect Democrats and defend our rights. We write, call, canvas, and protest. Join our meetings every 4th Monday in Campbell to organize and support Democratic victories.

See more actions and details about South Bay Swing Left

SURJ Circle in Menlo Park

Action 1: Sign up for SURJ phone banking to elect our progressive candidates.

Action 2: Sign up with SURJ to learn about protecting our elections and protecting the vote.

SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice!) Circle in Menlo Park organizes white people to address attacks on non-white communities and support their organized actions. We host meet-ups, join regional demonstrations, and engage in direct political action.

See more actions and details about SURJ Circle in Menlo Park

Action 1: Canvass or make calls with Swing Left Ground Truth.

Action 2: Send letters to turn out voters in strategic down-ballot races (pick up free letters from a porch near you or attend a party on the Peninsula).

Swing Left Peninsula works to elect Democrats in close races, often in CA, NV, and AZ. We focus on high-impact efforts like letters, calls, canvassing, and fundraising. New and experienced activists are welcome.

See more actions and details about Swing Left Peninsula

Action 1: Call Senator Alex Padilla (415) 981-9369, Senator Adam Schiff (415) 393-0707, and Rep. Sam Liccardo (202) 225-8104 to vote NO on S4340 and HR8330.

Action 2: Become an ambassador for the California Make Polluters Pay Campaign! Learn about it and deliver messages to local officials in support of it.

Third Act is a progressive, national organization of people over 60 focusing on safeguarding America’s Democracy by confronting the fossil fuel companies that threaten human rights.

See more actions and details about Third Act

Action 1: Sign up for our newsletter.

Action 2: Save the date for our Annual Community Art & Advocacy Day on October 17, 2026.

Action 3: Check out the finalists for Santa Clara County's "I Voted" sticker contest.

Together We Vote Silicon Valley (TWVSV) is a coalition of nonprofits, grassroots, and community organizations working year-round to expand civic participation, develop community leaders, and empower Black and Brown communities across Santa Clara County through voter education and engagement.

Subscribe to Together We Vote Silicon Valley Instagram for more information.

#GoodTroubleLivesOn