About the Film
The Freedom Rides of 1961 were a pivotal moment in the long Civil Rights struggle that redefined America. Based on Raymond Arsenault’s recent book, this documentary film offers an inside look at the brave band of activists who challenged segregation in the Deep South. Produced and directed by Stanley Nelson. Mark Samels, executive producer for American Experience, WGBH.
Attracting a diverse group of volunteers—black and white, young and old, male and female, secular and religious, northern and southern—the Freedom Rides of 1961 took the civil rights struggle out of the courtroom and onto the streets of the Jim Crow South. Freedom Riders tells the terrifying, moving, and suspenseful story of a time when white and black volunteers riding a bus into the Deep South risked being jailed, beaten, or killed, as white local and state authorities ignored or encouraged violent attacks. The film includes previously unseen amateur 8-mm footage of the burning bus on which some Freedom Riders were temporarily trapped, taken by a local twelve-year-old and held as evidence since 1961 by the FBI.
Please visit the official film website to learn more:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/
Watch the full film by clicking in the box below, or go here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/watch
PGCC Freedom Riders Program - February 25, 2014
Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961: A Greyhound bus carrying the Freedom Riders was attacked by a mob who slashed its tires, and then firebombed the disabled vehicle outside of Anniston, Alabama.
Rep. Lewis: 'I Gave A Little Blood Here And There'
Congressman and Freedom Rider Rep. John Lewis shares his experience at the March on Washington. Listen to the National Public Radio (NPR) interview.
Get On The Bus: The Freedom Riders of 1961 - NPR
Raymond Arsenault is the author of Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. The book details how volunteers — both black and white — traveled to Mississippi and Alabama to fight segregation in transit systems.
Freedom Riders - YouTube
A group of students, faculty, and staff took a trip that changed their lives. The group rode from Nashville, Tenn., to Montgomery and Birmingham, Ala., retracing the Freedom Rides of 1961, which were part of the movement that led to the end of segregation in the South. What's more, several of the original Freedom Riders joined the group to share their experiences first-hand along the way.
50th Anniversary of the First Freedom Ride
It was 50 years ago today on May 4, 1961, when mixed groups of black and white students took two public buses from Washington, D.C., and intended to arrive in New Orleans two weeks later. They were risking their lives to challenge segregation, and called themselves the "freedom riders." President Obama has issued a proclamation honoring May 2011 as the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides, and called on Americans to celebrate their struggle for equal rights during the civil rights movement.
Routes of the Freedom Riders
This map shows the route of the original Freedom Riders, who began their journey on May 4, 1961, in Washington, D.C. It also shows the route of the Nashville riders, as well as alternate routes taken by other groups of Freedom Riders. The legend shows the date of departure as well as the place of origin and arrival of each group. The symbol for violence at the top of the legend appears on the map in places where violence occurred.
