New Iberia, La. (KLFY) – Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside New Iberia City Hall over the weekend as part of a nationwide call to action known as “Good Trouble 337,” honoring the late Congressman John Lewis and his legacy of civil rights activism.

The rally, one of more than 180 held across the country, called on communities to defend democracy, protect human rights, and carry forward the unfinished work of Lewis, who famously encouraged Americans to get into “good trouble” in the name of justice.

“We are here making good trouble for our democracy, for the soul of our country, for the soul of our future,” said Don Mitchell, a local volunteer with the nonprofit VOTE, which advocates for the rights of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Organizers focused on several key issues, including voter suppression, mass incarceration, and ongoing threats to civil liberties.

Minister Donovan Davis, a former drug dealer who now serves as a motivational speaker and advocate, said the rally was about education and transformation.

“We live here in a democracy, and we’re trying to protect that democracy and the rights of all people; whether they are rich, middle class, grassroots poor, or living below the poverty level,” Davis said. “We’re trying to educate people on community education, civic engagement, and public advocacy. And through all of these means, we’re able to voice ourselves.”

Speakers throughout the event reflected on Lewis’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement, describing him as a strategist, organizer, and moral force who inspired generations.

“We may not agree on everything,” Mitchell added, “but we are here to support the rights of everyone; not just those at the top.”

Protesters say they remain determined to make “good trouble” until rights are protected for all.

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