Freedom Riders

An introductory video to LeRoy Ford, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. From May 6-16, college students will join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA.

An introductory video to Anna Nutter, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. From May 6-16, college students will join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA.

An introductory video to Samantha Williams, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. From May 6-16, college students will join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA.

Janie Forsyth McKinney was twelve years old when the Freedom Riders came through her hometown of Anniston, Alabama, on May 14, 1961. After local Klan members firebombed the bus, McKinney assisted injured riders.

Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. trained future Freedom Riders in nonviolence through role-playing activities in Nashville, TN. Drawing upon this training, students worked to desegregate businesses in downtown Nashville.

The state of Mississippi's plan to bankrupt CORE backfired when, on August 14, 1961, all but nine of the Freedom Riders returned to Jackson for their arraignment.

Former civil rights activists raised in the South recount how their commitment to nonviolence was sorely tested by the extreme hostility and mob violence they encountered.

An introductory video to Karl Kumodzi, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. From May 6-16, college students will join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA.

A profile of Charles Reed, Jr., one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride in May 2011. "Thirty-nine new people from across the nation that I have no connection to at all... we share the same belief that social justice is something that is important," says Charles from the campus of the University of Mary Washington.

A profile of Tania Smith, a student at American University and one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.

A profile of Liliana Astiz, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. "The more you take control of what your life is, and the more you take control of what your future becomes," Lily says, "the more you begin to see how much power you really do have."

A profile of Zilong Wang, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride in May 2011. "China is going through many of the similar periods as America has gone through 50 years ago," Zilong says. "There's a lot to be learned from America's mistake and its success."