Today marks five years since we lost the conscience of Congress, the moral north star of the civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis. A man who didn’t just speak about justice—he bled for it. Was beaten for it. And still came back with love in his heart and fire in his soul.
He walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday with nothing but courage in his chest and hope in his stride. He sat at lunch counters, rode Freedom Rides, stood up to power, and never wavered. He dedicated over 60 years of his life to the cause of justice, equality, voting rights, and basic human dignity.
Today, we honor him the best way we know how—not with silence, but with action.
Because as Congressman Lewis famously said:
“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
So let me be clear: Today, we get into good trouble.
If you’re marching, protesting, gathering, speaking—you’re doing the work.
If you’re standing up against Trump’s authoritarian rule, if you’re refusing to sit still while Donald Trump tries to rewrite our rights into dust, if you’re defending the right to vote, the right to choose, the right to speak freely—you are carrying the torch John Lewis passed to all of us.
And today, it’s more important than ever to stand up and make our voices heard—because our country is under attack.
Not from foreign adversaries, but from within—from the architects of authoritarianism like Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, the masterminds behind Project 2025, now being pushed directly by Donald Trump.
They’re not hiding it. They’re flaunting it.
As we remember the legacy of John Lewis, they’re trying to erase everything he fought for. They’re coming for our votes, our freedoms, and our future.
And while the media chases chaos, let me ask you one thing: keep your eye on the ball.
Trump’s most dangerous move isn’t just his public meltdowns or media spin—it’s what he calls “election reform.” That’s the real endgame. That’s how he plans to stay in power permanently.
That’s why today, of all days, we need to raise our voices, organize, and step up.
To stop him from taking away our right to free and fair elections.
Today, I’ll be in Palm Beach, Florida—Trump’s own backyard—speaking on a panel about civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, voter rights, and the ongoing fight to defend democracy in America. The roundtable is grounded in Congressman Lewis’s principles, and I promise you—they are more urgent than ever.
If you’re in the area, come join us in person. If not, I’ll be going LIVE on Substack from 6 to 8 p.m. ET. Make sure to subscribe, tune in and be part of it.
https://substack.com/@levparnas/note/p-168553824?r=lb27z&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Because this isn’t about politics anymore—this is about survival.
If you believe in this movement—if you believe in truth, justice, and democracy—now is the time to act.
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I don’t have billionaires behind me. I don’t have corporate sponsors or a media machine.
I have you.
And together, we are not just a community—we are a movement.
A family.
A resistance.
Let’s get into some good trouble today.
With gratitude and strength,
Lev Parnas
Oh, how we could use a little John Lewis about now... YES, WE CAN, make some GOOD TROUBLE. I'll be out there today! I hope all of us will be out there! Thanks Lev!
Thank you, Lev, for standing in for all of your readers who remember Congressman John Lewis. You say it well.