John Lewis: Good Trouble

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Sometimes change calls for a little trouble.

JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter (TRAPPED, GIDEON’S ARMY), chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia. Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles John Robert Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, 80 years old at the time of filming, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.

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Impact

The campaign presented a major opportunity to move the needle on voter suppression in perhaps the most important election in modern history. Participant worked to strengthen “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) efforts in disenfranchised communities in the 2020 election through a national effort to create visibility and targeted work with local Georgia partners. As a result, voters, particularly in poor and communities of color, were able to vote without fear, intimidation, and unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.

The campaign helped organizations connect with targeted constituents in support of their GOTV goals. Grassroots organizations in Georgia used the film and campaign’s financial and in-kind support to build their organizing capacity, reaching disenfranchised communities by hosting events and screenings. Participant provided a platform that connected the film to tools and resources we developed to supplement the film’s message of GOTV and racial equity.

74 Private Screening Experiences resulted in more than 100K tickets sold using the film to highlight the importance of civic engagement and inclusion with employees across the country. Through press and influencers, the campaign increased awareness of modern-day voter suppression and ways to help key organizations.Among many awards, John Lewis: Good Trouble won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary Film.

Learn

In 2013, the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder allowed for a wave of new voter suppression laws that make it harder for poor communities, immigrant communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color to vote. This is especially true in southern states where the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow are ever-present. To combat this, you can use your voice and privilege to support others’ right to vote.

FAQs

What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is considered one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. It came about as a direct result of the work of John Lewis, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, with the goal of overcoming state and local laws that denied Black people their constitutional right to vote. Prior to the passing of the VRA, various blatantly discriminatory practices were used to prevent Black people from voting. The Act enshrines on every American citizen the equal opportunity to vote. Unfortunately, in 2013, the Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder gutted the Voting Rights Act. (Read more: Brennan Center)

What is Shelby County v. Holder?

In 2013 the Supreme Court did away with one of the most important provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Section 4 made it so counties with a history of race-based discriminatory election practices couldn’t change the rules without “preclearing” them first with the U.S. Justice Department. Within hours of the ruling, a floodgate of new voter suppression laws were enacted to restrict the equal opportunity to vote. (Read More: Brennan Center)

What is voter suppression?

While voter suppression has existed since the beginning of our democracy, over the last 10 years it has become more prevalent than ever. In 2013, the Supreme Court decision to gut the VRA allowed states to make it intentionally difficult for people to vote by enacting strict voter ID laws, reducing early voting days, shortening voting times, restricting voter registration and purging voter rolls (deleting registered voters off the system). These tactics are meant to keep voters away from the ballot box, particularly people of color, poor people, the young and the old. And it works – because of these laws, significant numbers of eligible voters have been kept from exercising their fundamental right to participate in democracy. (Read More: Brennan Center)

Who is impacted by voter suppression?

Since the beginning of our democracy, voter suppression laws have disenfranchised Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander communities; poor people, seniors, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Furthermore, 6.1 million Americans are excluded from the democratic process due to criminal disenfranchisement laws (Sentencing Project). These laws take away from people the right to vote simply based on a criminal past. (Read more: Brennan Center)

Why North Carolina and Georgia?

While voter suppression laws exist in a number of states, Georgia and North Carolina are two of the most impacted. The Shelby County v. Holder decision coupled with a legacy of voter suppression allowed an all-out assault on voting rights. Additionally, these two states meant a lot to Congressman Lewis. He was the President of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which was founded in North Carolina, and Georgia was Congressman Lewis’ adopted home state, where his legacy is embedded in local history and culture. Both states also have competitive Senate races, the outcomes of which will be crucial to whether or not the Voting Rights Act will ultimately be reinstated.

Vote. Make Good Trouble.

Elections don’t just happen every four years. Every single week, local elections are happening that impact every single aspect of our daily lives. Make sure you’re set to make GOOD TROUBLE in every upcoming election.

Watch the film and follow along with the GOOD TROUBLE handbook to learn how you can stay informed, take action, and make sure everyone has the ability to vote.

Make Good Trouble

Watch the film and follow along with the GOOD TROUBLE handbook to learn how you can stay informed, take action, and make sure everyone has the ability to vote.

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Text voters

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Map the vote

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Poster for the film John Lewis: Good Trouble.

Director: Dawn Porter
Producers: Erika Alexander, Ben Arnon, Laura Michalchyshyn
Executive Producers: Amy Entelis, Courtney Sexton, Dori Begley, Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Stuart Ford, Rachel Traub, Ian Orefice, Mike Beck
Supervising Producer: Summer Damon
Original music: Tamar-Kali
Editor: Jessica Congdon
Director of Photography: Keither Walker