LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- In Lafayette today, community members honored the legacy of Congressman John Lewis, who is remembered for his civil rights activism and fight for social justice.

Marking the 5th anniversary of Lewis's passing on July 17, Good Trouble 337, along with other organizations, participated in a nationwide day of peace, a nonviolent protest to fight attacks on civil and human rights.

People gathered with signs to protest on the corner of West University and Cameron Street, inspired by John Lewis' call to "make good trouble, necessary trouble."

Good Trouble 337, Indivisible Acadiana, and Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) united to make their voices heard, demanding an end to what they say is an authoritarian attack on the right to vote, freedom of speech and press, and efforts to criminalize communities.

Matthew Issak, one of the organizers of the protest, said that the protest is not only to bring awareness to the issues surrounding civil and human rights being attacked, but also to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis.

"Today, as part of an event that's been arranged to commemorate the passing of John Lewis, who was a congressman in Georgia," said Issak. "He was important in the civil rights era, and he fought really for voting rights and an end to segregation. We're commemorating the 5th anniversary of his passing because we're still fighting those battles today."

Latest news