Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Demonstrators gathered in Houghton's Veterans Memorial Park earlier this month for the local aspect of the nation-wide Good Trouble Lives On rally. Organized by Keweenaw Indivisible, the group will hold a fundraising event next week in Hancock to eliminate medical debt in the U.P.

HOUGHTON — Protests and events against President Donald Trump’s controversial policies were held at more than 1,600 locations around the country Thursday. The “Good Trouble Lives On” national day of action was held in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis. Locally, scores gathered at Houghton’s Veterans Memorial Park. The protest was organized by Keweenaw Indivisible, a local grassroots organization that is part of the nationwide Indivisible network. Rich Canevez of Keweenaw Indivisible said the purpose of the event was to “honor Lewis’ memory in reminding our community of the importance of ‘good trouble’ in today’s political environment.”

In Houghton Saturday, demonstrators waved American flags, held signs and sang songs. Canevez said the signs “spoke in support of peoples and policeis under threat from the current administration, including cuts to medicare, medicaid and SNAP benefits, ICE overreach and. defience of Trump and Trump-ism”

A central theme of the demonstration was the importance of voting with participants holding signs highlighting voting accessibility for poor, rural, minority and women voters.

Canevez said he was pleased with the turnout. “Absolutely! All told with nearly 100 participants between the rally and the march, especially in the summer where a lot of people are traveling or otherwise away, it sets a good precedent for the numbers we will get at future events, when toe community balloons again when the fall semester arrives.”

While demonstrators gathered at Veteran’s Memorial Park, a number of cars, organized by Bill Fink, road throughout the area in support of the rally. Many of the vehicles had windows painted with messages supporting the rally.

Canevez said events like Thursday’s demonstration accomplish many purposes. “Not the least of which is demonstrations (are) an essential component of social and political change. John Lewis’ conception of ‘good trouble, necessary trouble,’ as the nonviolent means by which we redeem America’s soul.”

Canevez said it’s worth noting how fulfilling and nourishing these demonstrations are for both people who show up for these events and practice being part of a community. He added they’re also valuable for those who did not attend for whatever reason. “(They) nonetheless want to feel like there is a voice of resistance in our community that is growing and flourishing. My experience in our community was that, in moments of political and social upheaval, it’s easy to feel isolated in your pain and anxiety.” He said visible displays are not just a means of speaking out, but also a means to connect.

“And in that, I am grateful. It has made all the difference for me moving back to the place of my birth after so many years away. Every demonstration we put on I talk with as many people as I can, and so many tell me of the fulfillment that they experience just in being there, and standing shoulder to shoulder with others from our community.”

Canevez admitted that a criticism of such events is typically that good trouble and demonstration don’t necessarily lead to change. Indeed, these cannot guarantee change. “But remember that no trouble guarantees no change. For communities like ours, that depend on the rights and services under threat today, we cannot accept that path. And I’m proud to be one small part of our community’s defiance of the regressive politics of the current administration.”

Keweenaw Indivisible has more events planned including “Stronger Together” July 29 at Small Craft in Hancock. “The event is designed to buy out medical debt across MI-01 (and potentionlly more) in support of our community’s most vulnerable peoples living under medical debt. We will be holding further demonstrations throughout the fall as well, in response to either national level coordinated action days or in line with our own local events. Finally, we will be involving ourselves in the political and electoral process and raising more ‘good trouble’ as we transition from a phase of response and growth to direct action,” Canevez said.