Freedom Riders

1947 - 1961

THE STORY OF 1961

FREEDOM RIDERS

1947

Freedom Riders were groups of white and African American civil rights activists who participated in Freedom Rides, bus trips through the American South in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals.

Testing the 1960 Supreme Court Decision

The 1961 Freedom Rides sought to test a 1960 decision by the Supreme Court in Boynton v. Virginia that segregation of interstate transportation facilities, including bus terminals, was unconstitutional.

Freedom Riders tried to use “whites-only” restrooms and lunch counters at bus stations in Alabama, South Carolina and other Southern states. The groups were confronted by arresting police officers—as well as horrific violence from white protestors—along their routes, but also drew international attention to the civil rights movement.

1961

FACTS

300

NON-VIOLENCE

ARRESTED

The Freedom Rides of 1961 were based on principles of non-violence.

More than 300 Freedom R iders were arrested.

ROLE-PLAYING

JOURNEY

Through role-playing, Freedom Riders learned how to prepare for conflict.

The Freedom Riders completed their journey by plane.

Source: "Freedom Riders". History.com, https://www.history.com/articles/freedom-rides. Accessed 20 March 2025

Rock Hill, SC

May 12th, 1961

• The first violent incident occurred on May 12 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. John Lewis, an African American seminary student, and white Freedom Rider and World War II veteran Albert Bigelow and another Black rider were viciously attacked as they attempted to enter a whites-only waiting area.

Washington, DC

May 4th, 1961

• The Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C., on a Greyhound bus on May 4, 1961.

Greensboro, NC

May 4th, 1961

• The group traveled through Virginia and North Carolina, drawing little public notice.

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Washington, DC

May 4th, 1961

• The Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C., on a Greyhound bus on May 4, 1961.

Lynchburg, VA

May 4th, 1961

• The group traveled through Virginia and North Carolina, drawing little public notice.