Description
The Freedom Riders of 1961 were a group of civil rights activists who fought for desegregation in the United States. The group was made up of both black and white activists who rode interstate buses together in order to challenge the segregation laws in the South. The Freedom Riders demonstrated the power of non-violent direct action, and their efforts led to the desegregation of interstate transportation.
The Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C. in May of 1961, and their journey took them through the Deep South. They were met with violent opposition from both white citizens and law enforcement, and many of the Freedom Riders were arrested or beaten. Despite the danger, the Freedom Riders continued their journey and their actions had a profound impact on the civil rights movement.
The Freedom Riders’ actions received national attention, and the federal government was forced to intervene. The Interstate Commerce Commission eventually issued an order that desegregated interstate bus and train travel. This order was a major victory for the civil rights movement, and it helped to pave the way for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today, the Freedom Riders are remembered as a symbol of the power of non-violent direct action in the pursuit of justice.
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