Community members gathered at Veterans Park in Newcastle July 18 to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and longtime U.S. Congressman John Lewis, celebrating his enduring call to make "Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble."

The event, organized by Lincoln County Indivisible in partnership with Miles Delivers, featured speakers, music, art, community organizations, and a raffle supported by local businesses. Attendees of all ages reflected on what "Good Trouble" means in their own lives.

Among the speakers was Ashlyn Ward, a labor and delivery nurse at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and member of the Maine State Nurses Association and National Nurses United. Ward connected Lewis' legacy to current issues in Maine, saying, "Here in Maine, that call to make good trouble is not theoretical. It is right in front of us."

Ward spoke about the recent killing of Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, describing him as "a neighbor, a hard worker, a good dad, and a loving husband" pursuing the American dream by delivering DoorDash six days a week to support his family. 

The rally highlighted Lewis' enduring message that peaceful civic engagement can make a difference as local communities face face pressing concerns such as the closure of essential rural health services as is being considered for Miles Labor and Delivery.