PETOSKEY — In Petoskey, residents and visitors alike made some “good trouble” on Thursday, July 17 as they took part in the nationwide “Good Trouble Lives On“ protests.
More than 250 people are estimated to have taken part in the local protest.
According to the Detroit Free Press, over 1,000 “Good Trouble” protests took place on July 17, with around 60 planned across Michigan. The protests are similar to the No Kings protests against President Donald Trump’s administration that took place nationally in June.
The “Good Trouble Lives On” protests commemorate the five-year anniversary of congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis’ death. He famously coined the term “good trouble,” referencing activism that advances social causes through non-violent action while still making meaningful change.
At Petoskey’s protest, which took place at the “People’s Corner” along U.S. 31, people displayed homemade signs and waved flags at traffic. Along with the sounds of chanting, cowbells and wooden maracas, some passing vehicles honked their horns in support. A few counter-protestors, waving Trump flags and chanting support for “MAGA,” passed by on foot and in vehicles.
Sue VanDeventer, who serves on the steering committee for the NoMi Indivisible group that organized the protest, said, to her, good trouble means taking action and not sitting idly by.
“You can complain all you want, but we’ll get rolled over if we don’t stand up and take some action,” she said.
Protests have been happening frequently in Petoskey, with one being held on the first Saturday of every month.
Although VanDeventer said she was worried they might get burned out by the consistent protesting, she instead feels like they’re “fueling the fire.”
“It’s too depressing to sit back and do nothing,” she said. “At least I feel like … we’re using our voices, we’re pushing back.”
NoMi Indivisible steering committee member Cathryn Schuil added that, “It’s so inspiring and it reminds me that I’m not alone.”
Emma Green, originally from Kentucky but visiting the Petoskey area for the summer, said she took part in the protest “to save democracy.”
“You’ve got to speak up,” she said. “I’m not always good at it, but I’m learning and this is part of it.”
Her sister, Betty Kenan, said she is troubled by the actions the Trump administration and other lawmakers have taken since January.
Both Green and Kenan said they were inspired by the idea of “necessary trouble,” saying that if they don’t speak out, “we’re doing nothing,” Kenan said.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: More than 250 Petoskey residents at ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ protest on Thursday
Reporting by Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
