[St. Louis] On Thursday, July 17, Missouri voter advocates will host John Lewis National Day of Action events to mark the five-year anniversary of the passing of Rep. John Lewis, including a flagship event in St. Louis and additional Good Trouble Lives on events in Kansas City, Springfield, Jefferson City, Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and St. Peters Missouri with St. Louis and Kansas City serving as national anchor events in this year’s coordinated campaign. Joining over 1,1000 events happening in almost all 50 states including Washington D.C.. to celebrate his extraordinary legacy and call on Congress to pass critical legislation to protect the freedom to vote, end gerrymandering, and get money out of politics to realize Rep. Lewis’ vision for a democracy that works for all of us.
The events, organized by the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and its partners, will educate, motivate and activate our community to work towards Congressional passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, the Native American Voting Rights Act.
The urgency of this effort is especially clear in Missouri, where the right to vote is increasingly under attack. Lawmakers have sought to weaken the citizen initiative process — one of the few remaining tools for direct democracy in the state. Ongoing legal battles challenge strict photo ID requirements and harsh criminal penalties aimed at voter registration efforts, threatening to suppress civic engagement, especially in marginalized communities. Missouri continues to be a testing ground for laws that limit access to the ballot, making the call for federal standards all the more critical.
These events are not just moments of remembrance — they are calls to action. In the spirit of Congressman Lewis, Missouri communities are rising up to protect what he called the most powerful nonviolent tool we have: the vote. From courthouse steps to community centers, Missourians are carrying forward the work of building a democracy that includes and represents all of us.
As we honor Lewis’ legacy, we invite all Missourians to take part — to get informed, get organized, and get into good trouble. Whether by attending a rally, registering voters, contacting your representatives, or sharing your story, everyone has a role to play in this movement for justice and democracy.
To find an event near you or to get involved, visit GoodTroubleLivesOn.org.
St. Louis MO Flagship Event Information:
WHAT: St. Louis John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action
WHEN: 5:15-7:15pm, Thursday, July 17th, 2025
WHERE: Old Courthouse (east steps), 11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
VISUALS: Banners, signs, partners standing next to statute of Dred and Harriett Scott, elected officials, presentation of good trouble awards, dance performance, music; presentation of “good trouble” awards
SPONSORS: Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, NAACP, League of Women Voters, Missouri Jobs with Justice, St. Louis Area Voting Initiative, Respect MO Voters, Planned Parenthood Advocates, Hispanic Leaders Group of Metro St Louis, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Missouri Workers Center
Kansas City, MO Flagship Event Information:
WHAT: Kansas City John Lewis National Day of Commemoration and Action
Program to feature remarks by Mayor Quinton Lucas
WHEN: 6-7:30 pm, Thursday, July 17th, 2025
WHERE: Swope Park Bandstand 4177 Pavillion Road, Kansas City, MO 64132
VISUALS: Bandstand, banners, flyers, signs, remarks from KC Mayor Quintin Lucas and other community leaders, music performances; presentation of “good trouble” awards
SPONSORS: League of Women Voters KC, Communities Creating Opportunitiy, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Communities Creating Opportunity, Stand Up KC/MO Workers Center, SURJ Showing Up for Racial Justice, MO Jobs with Justice, ACLU of Missouri,Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Indivisible Kansas City, Boots on the Ground Midwest, Indivisible KC, Heartland Alliance for Progress, League of Women Voters KC, UAW 249,Kansas City Women's Action Collaborative, Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, Eitas, Sierra Club, National Congress of Black Women KC, American Assoc of Univ Women, Missouri Action Alliance, Poor People's Campaign of Kansas City MO, Heart of America Indian Center, Women's Equality Coalition, Heartland Women in the Trades, Gender Equity Task, Force-KC Human Rights Commission, UMKC School of Social work, UMKC Women's Center, Indivisible Blue Brookside, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Carter Broadcast Group, Do Something, KPRS Hot 103
Kansas City attendees are asked to bring a food item to donate.
For more information, contact Sarah Starnes 816-522-5584 or M Jenise Comer 816-214-9490.