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The First Ride
The first freedom ride began on May 4th, 1961. There were 13 protestors which included 7 black and 6 white people. The bus started in Washington and they planned to protest in Virginia, The Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi with their final destination being New Orleans and Louisiana. Three members were beaten in South Carolina and others were arrested. It was not going to be an easy mission for the protestors. -
Mothers Day
More than 100 members of the Ku Kux Klan attacked the freedom riders in Anniston, Alabama. Members of the Ku Kux Klan slashed their tires, broke the windows and set the bus on fire. The riders tried to escape but there was a Klansman holding the door shut so they would not escape. Unfortunately for the KKK members there was an undercover cop on the bus that helped get the attackers away from the bus before it got deathly. People in Alabama were being encouraged to attack the bus again. -
Resuming the Freedom Ride
With tensions rising between the KKK and the Freedom Riders, the riders decided to not give up their fight. They drove the bus to Birmingham from Nashville, were arrested by Bull Connor and then were dumped on a side of a road in Tennessee. The groups of Riders kept growing. 19 (16 black, 3 white) went to the bus terminal and the driver refused to let them ride the bus. -
Montgomery
The Riders were escorted by the Alabama highway patrol cars on their way to Montgomery. Once they got there, hundreds of KKK members attacked the bus and reporters. It got very violent and the riders were blamed for it. The riders got more support, including Dr. King. 1,200 black citizens gathered to honor the Riders outside of Reverend Abernathy's 1st Baptist church. More than 3,000 white people were outside ready to attack. It caused a violent mob and President Kennedy had to step in. -
Jackson
About a dozen Freedom Riders went on a 250-mile ride to Jackson, Mississippi. When they arrived, the Riders tried to use a "white only" restroom and then were immediately arrested for Breach of Peace and Refusal to obey an officer. The riders were in jail for 39 days. Even the governor, Ross Barret said in defense of segregation "The Negro is different because God made him different to punish him". The riders did not want to pay for what they did and instead stayed in jail.