Good Trouble Lives On: Youngstown

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the streets of downtown Youngstown echoed with chants, laughter, music, and the unmistakable pulse of people power. We gathered at the Mahoning County Courthouse to honor the legacy of civil rights activist and lifelong freedom fighter, Congressman John Lewis, and to remind the world that Good Trouble still lives on in the hearts of those who are unafraid to stand up, speak out, and demand justice.

The Good Trouble Lives On: Youngstown March wasn’t just a commemoration; it was a call to action. It was a living, breathing tribute to John Lewis’s fight for voting rights, racial equity, and the unyielding belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they stand together. Through our voices, our signs, and our collective presence, we made it clear: the next generation is not backing down.

Organized by Mahoning Valley Freedom Fighters, this march brought together youth leaders, elders of the movement, local activists, and community members from all walks of life. As we moved through the heart of the city, we carried the legacy of Selma across the streets of Youngstown—proving that the fight for justice didn’t end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

But we also celebrated. We danced, we sang, we uplifted one another, because resistance is joy, too. And in the spirit of John Lewis, we didn’t just march—we made noise. We made Good Trouble.

To the young people who stepped up to lead chants, organize logistics, and inspire their peers — we see you. To every elder who reminded us of the history we walk with — we honor you. And to John Lewis — thank you. Your legacy lives in us, and we promise to keep marching forward with love, courage, and fire in our hearts.

Because Good Trouble isn’t history — it’s a movement. And it lives on, right here in Youngstown.

— Mahoning Valley Freedom Fighters