Over 200 People Gathered in Whittier to Support Democracy and Oppose Authoritarianism. Community Leaders Called Upon the People to Take Action to Oppose the Militarized Response of the Trump Administration to Free Speech Activity and Immigration.
WHITTIER, CA, July 20, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The "Good Trouble Lives On" rally at City Hall in Whittier, California, featured Poet Laureates Lynne Thomson and Camille Hernandez, the national anthem performed live by Kris Bramson, and speeches by the president of the United Farm Workers, Teresa Romero, and Whittier City Council member Mary Ann Pacheco, among others.
Rich Procida of the Truth and Democracy Coalition led the "Good Trouble Lives On" rally in Whittier on Thursday, July 17th, with the help of Victoria Leigh Julien, leader of the Whittier Indivisible Chapter.
"I have a crazy vision," Procida said. "To bring together women and men, Republicans and Democrats, radicals and moderates, and socialists, liberals, and conservatives, to bring the American people together, to defend the Constitution and fight for democracy."
Speakers honored the legacy of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis by exposing the threat to democracy posed by the authoritarian tactics of the Trump Administration. United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero talked about how ICE agents come without warning and round people up indiscriminately. City Council Member Mary Ann Pacheco called on members of the community to speak up at City Council Meetings about the anger and terror they feel. Victoria Julien emceed the event. Pastor Richard Jarman led the crowd in prayer. Poet Laureates wowed them, and people waved American flags and held up handwritten signs. Representatives of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Whittier mayoral candidate James Becerra expressed their support.
Rich Procida introduced the Truth and Democracy Coalition to the community. He organized last month's No Kings Parade in Whittier and started the Whittier No Kings Action Team to organize this and future actions. He "founded the Truth and Democracy Coalition to fight for democracy, counter divisive propaganda, and defend the Constitution." He questioned the Trump Administration's plan to "arrest millions of people and deport them." He warned that others will be next: "activists, liberals, intellectuals, politicians, and anyone who dares to disagree."
Procida began the event with a call to action and ended it with a plea for unity. "We don't need to see eye to eye," he said. "We need to hold shared values."
The Truth and Democracy Coalition works to build a broad movement to save democracy. We confront divisive propaganda and focus on bringing Americans of different religions and ideologies together to defend democracy from the threat of authoritarianism.
Our vision is to bring men and women, Republicans and Democrats, radicals and moderates, and Socialists, Liberals, and Conservatives together to defend the Constitution and fight for democracy.
We value freedom, truth, and prosperity. Individuals must be free to criticize public policy, advocate for their interests, and decide who should lead them. To this end, citizens must be critical of the information and propaganda they consume. Individuals are the decision-makers in a democracy. They must be educated and informed. Only democracy frees people to speak their truth and advocate for justice and prosperity.
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