1. Freedom Rides Lesson starter:
Which protest of the Civil Rights movement do you believe was more successful;
the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
the Sit Ins?
Provide reasons for your answer.

2. Today we will… Understand the events of the Freedom Rides in 1961
Assess the importance of the protest

3. Background…
A new law passed by the Supreme Court had banned segregation in public areas such as bathrooms, waiting rooms and restaurants for people travelling on inter-state buses
A group called CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) wanted to see if segregation had really ended

4. What were Freedom Rides?
13 CORE members travelled from Washington to New Orleans in May 1961
Along the way the Black riders would use ‘white only’ washrooms and waiting rooms

5. What happened?
They were met by heavy resistance from whites along the way
The Klan was waiting for the freedom riders in Anniston, Alabama
The two ‘Freedom’ buses were stopped and burned
Passengers were beaten up
The same happened in Birmingham, Alabama

6. Freedom Rider James Peck had 50 stitches in his head

7. Many Freedom Riders were arrested and jailed for taking part in the protests

8. Martin Luther King was so worried about the students’ safety he urged them to stop the Freedom Rides

9. Government involvement
JFK sent an advisor to investigate the freedom rides
When he arrived, he was beaten unconscious
Media coverage of the violence the Freedom Riders met was widespread
Police escorts were sent for the riders (but this did not end violence)

10. CORE and another group the SNCC refused to end the Freedom Rides even though they were urged to by MLK, government etc
Eventually, an order was sent to all interstate bus companies to end segregation at bus stations
By late 1961 this extended to airports and railway stations

11. With a partner, come up with a list of positives and negatives of the Freedom Rides

12. Freedom Rides Bad Freedom Rides Good
People were badly injured on the Freedom Rides
Some people felt the Freedom Rides did not do very much to change the country
Freedom Rides Good
They showed that nonviolent protest could change the law
White Americans in the North felt sympathy for the Civil Rights Movement
They showed people the brutality of the KKK

13. Today we will… Understand the events of the Freedom Rides in 1961
Assess the importance of the protest