Good Trouble Lives On – July 17th Rally Recap

Cheryl Hays
Jul 20
3 min read

On Thursday, July 17th, our community came together at Dr. Power’s Park for a powerful evening of action, unity, and reflection. Hosted by the Democratic Club of Greater Tracy in partnership with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and Indivisible Tracy, this rally was part of the national “Good Trouble Lives On” day of action — inspired by the legacy of Congressman John Lewis.

We didn’t just gather to remember John Lewis — we showed up to live his legacy.

From the moment the rally began, the energy was electric. DCoGT President Cheryl Hays welcomed the crowd with words that set the tone for the evening:

“His call to get into ‘Good Trouble’ still resonates today, reminding us that standing up, speaking out, and showing up are acts of courage and hope. Your presence, your passion, and your incredibly creative signs show that the spirit of Good Trouble is alive and well in our community.”

We were joined by local voices who spoke from the heart about what this moment means — for democracy, for justice, and for our future. Attendees were invited to stop by our “Good Trouble Tree” and leave messages of hope, commitment, or remembrance. These handwritten notes became a beautiful expression of what community action can look like.

Honoring Wayne Templeton – A Voice for Community

One person whose presence meant a lot that evening was Wayne Templeton, a dedicated advocate and friend of DCoGT President Cheryl Hays. Wayne has long been a quiet force in Tracy through his work with the Tracy Community Connections Center, helping those experiencing homelessness with dignity, care, and consistency.

He’s a reminder that Good Trouble doesn’t always happen on a stage — sometimes it’s in the daily, unseen acts of service that build a stronger, more compassionate community. We were proud to have Wayne at the rally and grateful for the important work he continues to lead in Tracy.

Throughout the park, volunteers walked around with clipboards — helping folks get connected, sign up for updates, and support important causes like SB42, a California bill that would provide public financing to help everyday people run for office. We also registered voters, signed up new members, and welcomed so many first-time rally-goers into the DCoGT family.

And in true John Lewis fashion, we paired the rally with meaningful service. Our Good Trouble Food Drive collected much-needed donations for Tracy Interfaith Ministries. Thank you to everyone who brought canned goods, rice, snacks, and pantry staples. Your generosity helped turn political passion into real, tangible support for our neighbors.

This event was about more than speeches. It was about action. It was about showing up. And it was about reminding each other that no matter the noise, we still have the power to fight for what’s right.

We’re so proud of everyone who made this rally possible — our partners, speakers, volunteers, and everyone who came out to make Good Trouble with us. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep speaking out. Let’s keep getting into Good Trouble — together.

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📸 Rally Photo Slide

A huge thank you to everyone who came out, brought signs, shared their voice, donated food, and stood tall for democracy. The energy was unforgettable — and we captured a few moments along the way.

👇 Check out some highlights from the evening below: