On July 17, about 350 Wilmington residents joined a nationwide wave of “Good Trouble” rallies and events, gathering at Dram Tree Park. After listening to speakers, those in attendance marched a loop around Castle Street, ending back in the park. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen)
WILMINGTON — A call to make “good trouble” resonated through Wilmington, as residents and local leaders gathered to honor the legacy of late Congressman John Lewis.
On Thursday, July 17, about 350 Wilmington residents joined a nationwide wave of “Good Trouble” rallies and events, gathering at Dram Tree Park. After listening to speakers, those in attendance marched a loop around Castle Street, ending back in the park. About 1,600 rallies were held across the country, including more than 19 in North Carolina.
Lewis, a civil rights leader and Congressman, famously advocated for nonviolent action and civil disobedience to confront injustice. He coined it “good trouble,” a at the heart of the Wilmington rally, with speakers emphasizing Lewis’s role in driving societal change.
A coalition of local groups, including Indivisible Wilmington, New Hanover County Democrats, SE North Carolina Women Forward, Brunswick County Democrats, and ILM Action Network, organized and sponsored the rally.
Speakers at the event included Kimberly Hardy, congressional candidate and second vice-chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party; local leaders like New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker; and representatives from community organizations such as the New Hanover County Association of Educators, the Brunswick County NAACP, and Siembra NC.
Walker spoke to the impact of local government and her disagreement with recent $36 million in budget cuts in New Hanover’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Specifically, cuts included $3 million from workforce housing, $1.6 million for non-county agencies, and $975,000 for six pre-K classrooms. These cuts were made to achieve a lower property tax rate and resulted in the elimination of 70 county positions.
“I know we’re all upset about the federal cuts, I’m upset about it,” Walker addressed the crowd. “But I can tell you what matters in my world, in y’all’s world, is local politics. Going through these budget cuts, knowing what it’s going to do to people, how it’s gonna hurt people and how it’s gonna hurt our community bothers me deeply, and it should bother every single one of you out there.”
Hardy spoke not only to Lewis’ legacy, but her ongoing campaign for North Carolina’s 7th Congressional district seat against current incumbent Republican David Rouzer.
“I’ve spent my whole career trying to help people who are the most marginalized, living in dire circumstances,” Hardy stated. “I understand what it looks like when people don’t have access to good quality healthcare, when people don’t have access to good quality schools for their kids. While all of us are paying for the salary and healthcare of David Rouzer, he’s in D.C. voting to take those things away from us.”
See photos of the rally below.
Kimberly Hardy, congressional candidate and Second Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, emceed the event. She spoke on her campaign against Republican incumbent David Rouzer and standing up for equity, justice, and fairness. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Carl Parker, leader of the Brunswick County NAACP, emphasized honoring John Lewis’ legacy, standing up for civil rights, and advocated for clean drinking water for all. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Jocelyn Beam (left), representative of the Immigrant Allies Forum, and Pamela Cook (right) with Siembra NC, addressed immigrant rights and protections, as well as deportations and ICE raids of businesses. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Acquinetta Beatty, local singer and newly elected Brunswick County Democratic Party Secretary, started the event by singing the national anthem and later the Black national anthem. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Lily Nicole Nelson, lead organizer for the North Carolina Association of Educators, spoke about ending organizational infighting, cuts to the Department of Education, and “being comfortable with being uncomfortable.” (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) New Hanover County Commissioner Stephanie Walker spoke about recent county budget cuts and the importance and impact of local government. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Community advocate Derrick Anderson, addressed social justice and John Lewis’ legacy and impact on advocacy. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) About 350 citizens gathered in Dram Tree Park, July 17, to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and engage in “good trouble” to promote civil rights and Democratic principles. (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Documentarian Chance Meeting spoke about the importance of information sharing and protesting. A Wilmington native, Meeting is currently capturing protests from around the country for his documentary “The Days of Dissent.” (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen) Beth Crookham & Galen Hunsucker, local musicians, ended the rally with Crookham’s 2022 song, ‘Good Trouble.’ (Port City Daily/Charlie Fossen)
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