Celebration Of John Lewis In Natick On Anniversary Of His Death

NATICK, MA — A group of local residents will make "good trouble" Saturday in Natick with an event celebrating the life of John Lewis and calling for the passage of new voting laws.

Lewis, a 33-year Georgia congressman and icon of the 1960s civil rights movement, died one year ago on July 17. Lewis was famous for encouraging activists to partake in "good trouble, necessary trouble" — like his participation in the Freedom Riders movement.

Locally, the group Standing Up for Racial Justice will host a celebration of Lewis' life on the Natick Common beginning at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Organizers say activism in the vein of what Lewis did is especially necessary right now following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and recent Supreme Court rulings on voting rights. The Natick rally will specifically call on federal politicians to pass the "For the People Act," the "John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act" and to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state.