Freedom Rides

Freedom Rides were civil rights protests that began in 1961 in the United States. Activists, both black and white, traveled on interstate buses into the segregated southern states to challenge local laws enforcing racial segregation. They aimed to test Supreme Court rulings that declared segregation in public transport unconstitutional. The rides faced violent resistance, but they drew national attention to the civil rights movement, highlighting the struggle against racial discrimination. The efforts ultimately contributed to the passage of significant civil rights legislation and were a key moment in the fight for racial equality in America.