The Original Freedom Ride: The 50th Anniversary
This year, 2011, marks the 50th Anniversary of the first Freedom Ride. Setting out to test compliance with desegregation in interstate commerce, the original Freedom Ride left Washington, D.C. on May 4, 1961 and was scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on May 17. It never reached its destination, facing mob violence in Alabama and Mississippi.
During the week of ACU's Freedom Ride there are numerous commemorations taking place to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this dramatic moment in Civil Rights history. One event to watch is the American Experience documentary airing May 16th on PBS. More about the documentary along with interactive maps and videos about the Freedom Rides can be found at the American Experience website.
The ACU Freedom Riders will be watching the PBS documentary in Birmingham where much of the mob violence took place and where many of Freedom Riders were arrested.Recent Comments
The ACU Freedom Ride
In May of 1961 the first Freedom Ride set out. Fifty years later a group of ACU students and faculty got on a bus to follow in their footsteps…
Tammy Marcelain 
Kimberly Berry
Kimberly Berry on Day 3: Birmingham
11:20 pm, 05.17.11
Love it Dr. Beck!!!