John Lewis often reminded us that democracy is not a state – it is an act. Good Trouble is our MOMENT to act!
We are hosting our 2nd annual John Lewis Weekend of Action… just as this administration quietly and heartlessly kidnapped a record 10,000 of our immigrant neighbors over five days. (Recent data shows that immigration arrests in Tennessee have surged by 271%.)
John Lewis understood that cruelty grows when good people lose their voice. He was beaten, jailed, and nearly killed because he believed every act of courage was meant to protect one of our most powerful rights: the right to vote. Elections determine who writes our laws, who enforces them, who sits on our courts, and whether compassion or cruelty guides our communities. If we want to stop what we’re seeing, we have to organize, we have to VOTE, and we have to help others vote too.
Six years after the passing of Congressman John Lewis, we’re again organizing to carry the torch, continue his legacy, and pass it forward to future generations. Join us.
📍 Where: West Town Mall at the intersection of Morrell Rd & Kingston Pike
🗓️ When: Friday July 17th @4pm
In honor of John Lewis, please bring signs encouraging passersby to VOTE in the hugely important August 6th local election!! (Get all the info here on our website… including early voting info, registration, and sample ballots!)
We are also asking folks to bring donations of schools supplies which will go to children in Knoxville’s underserved communities. Please bring what you can for the kids!
Then on Sunday we will be hosting Restitution Sunday in the Five Points Community to distribute school supplies, give away free ice cream to help beat the heat, face painting for the neighborhood kids, games and prizes, and more!
“Our children are the future. We must teach them the truth about our past, and show them a path forward built through peace, love, and hope.” ~ John Lewis
Last year’s Restitution Sunday was a rousing success! And we are hoping to once again show up with a MOUNTAIN of school supplies for the kids.
We know there’s a lot of supply and fundraisers going around, but our hope is that different drives will touch the hearts of different people. What we did last year was powerful and it makes a REAL difference, and our hope is to at least come close to what we were able to do last July.
No time to pick up school suppplies? Here is our Restitution Sunday fundraiser link, and we’ll do it for you: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/restitution_sunday
Any funds remaining after our day of Restitution will be donated to The Bottom in East Knoxville, so they can continue to daily and directly benefit the Five Points community through their work.
Let’s get into Good Trouble for democracy, for social justice, and each other. In solidarity #GoodTroubleLivesOn
Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/980118/
Note that in Knoxville, a handicapped driver can park in any municipally owned or leased parking lot or metered space for the maximum allowed time without charge, as per Knoxville’s Code of Ordinances.