Community

‘Good Trouble’ protest draws smaller crowd on a sweltering day

Indivisible Gig Harbor on Thursday staged its third major protest since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.

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The crowds for the July 17 “Good Trouble” protest could be measured in the hundreds, not the thousands, as was the case for a “Hands Off” protest in April and a “No Kings” protest in June.

Protesters on the Olympic Drive overpass of Highway 16 during a Good Trouble demonstration on Thursday, July 17. Photo by Vince Dice

The temperature was near 90 degrees when the Good Trouble event started, possibly limiting participation. And while the April and June demonstrations were on Saturdays, the Good Trouble event started at 4:30 p.m. on a Thursday, before many people get off work.

It’s possible that more passers-by saw Thursday’s demonstration than the previous ones, though. Indivisible staged it on three Gig Harbor overpasses of Highway 16, at 24th Street, Olympic Drive and Wollochet Way. Drivers stuck in slow-moving westbound traffic had plenty of time to look up and see neighbors waving signs and flags.

Protesters on the Olympic Drive overpass of Highway 16 during a Good Trouble demonstration on Thursday, July 17. Photo by Vince Dice

The protest took place on the fifth anniversary of the death of John Lewis, a congressman and civil rights hero. Lewis referred to his more than 40 lifetime arrests for civil rights activism as “good trouble, necessary trouble.” Similar Good Trouble protests took place around the country.