The Freedom Rides Flashcards
What was ruled by the Supreme Court in 1960?
Segregation of interstate buses was illegal.
What did this ruling include?
Ending segregation in bus terminals, waiting rooms and even restaurants.
When did the Congress of Racial Equality organise the freedom rides?
1961.
Why were the rides organised?
To test the law.
Who went on the journey from Washington to the deep south?
13 people - 7 black and 6 white.
When did the freedom riders start their journey?
May 4th 1961.
When did the KKK beat up riders and slash tyres?
14th May when leaving Atlanta for Birmingham.
When was no bus driver willing to take the Freedom riders further?
15th May - they had to fly to New Orleans.
What happened on the 17th May?
10 riders arrived in Birmingham to continue the journey by bus. They were arrested and taken 150 miles away from Birmingham. They then returned to Birmingham determined to continued, but couldn’t find a driver.
What happened on the 20th May?
Riders were back on their way to Montgomery. Klan members attacked the bus and some riders were seriously hurt.
What happened on the 21st May?
Martin Luther King spoke to the riders. The church he was in was surrounded and had to be protected by national guard.
What happened on the 24th May?
27 riders travelled from Montgomery to Jackson. They were arrested for going into the white only waiting room.
What did the freedom achieve?
The desegregation of interstate buses and in September 1961 a regulation was passed to stop segregation on them.
When did this regulation come into effect?
November 1st 1961.
