Freedom Riders National Monument

Freedom Riders National Monument

The Freedom Riders National Monument is a significant historical site located in Anniston, Alabama. It commemorates the courageous actions of the Freedom Riders, civil rights activists who challenged racial segregation in the southern United States during the early 1960s. This monument serves as a reminder of the struggle for civil rights and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

Historical Background

The Freedom Riders were a group of civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States in 1961 and subsequent years to challenge the non-enforcement of the United States Supreme Court decisions Boynton v. Virginia (1960) and Morgan v. Virginia (1946), which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional.

On May 14, 1961, a Greyhound bus carrying Freedom Riders was attacked by a mob in Anniston, Alabama. The bus was firebombed, and the riders were beaten. This violent incident drew national attention to the civil rights movement and highlighted the extreme resistance to desegregation in the South.

Establishment of the Monument

The Freedom Riders National Monument was established by President Barack Obama on January 12, 2017, through a presidential proclamation. The monument includes two sites in Anniston:

• The former Greyhound bus station where the Freedom Riders were attacked.
• The site on Alabama State Route 202 where the bus was firebombed.

These sites are preserved to educate the public about the events that took place and the broader civil rights movement.

Significance

The monument is a testament to the bravery and determination of the Freedom Riders and the broader civil rights movement. It serves as a place of reflection and education, reminding visitors of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of equality and justice.

The Freedom Riders National Monument is part of the National Park Service, which works to preserve and interpret the site for future generations. It is an important educational resource, providing insight into the history of civil rights in America.

Visiting the Monument

Visitors to the Freedom Riders National Monument can explore the historic sites and learn about the events of May 14, 1961. The monument offers interpretive programs and exhibits that provide context and understanding of the civil rights movement.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Selma to Montgomery marches
• Civil Rights Act of 1964

References

• "Freedom Riders National Monument." National Park Service. [1]
• Arsenault, Raymond. "Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice." Oxford University Press, 2006.

External Links

• Freedom Riders National Monument - National Park Service