A new documentary chronicling the life of the late Rep. John Lewis got a special, free virtual viewing Friday night in Tampa Bay.

Congresswoman Kathy Castor organized the event for her former colleague. She said it simply was the right thing to do on the anniversary of the historic march on Washington.

“It just all came together to celebrate John Lewis’ life here on the anniversary of the march on Washington,” Castor said. “And I was reflecting on John Lewis’ speech and the march of Washington. He says we need to march with a spirit of love and the spirit of dignity, and I think that’s an important message.”

The documentary Good Trouble tells about Lewis, who as a teenager, marched and demonstrated alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as one of his lieutenants in some of the most historical and bloodiest demonstrations for equality.

Tampa native Dr. Bernard Lafayette marched and rode with his friend, John Lewis, through many of those historical demonstrations.

“No matter how many times he was beaten, that did not stop him,” Lafayette recalled. “That did not stop him. In a way you could say he was hard-headed about civil rights, wasn’t he?...In fact his heart was in his head.”

Now, with Good Trouble available online through most streaming platforms, Congresswoman Castor hopes more people will see his Lewis’ story – and learn from it. 

“He risked his life for justice,” Castor said, “He wanted folks to take action in their lives. Remember what he said, ‘When you see something wrong, speak up. Speak out!’”