Freedom Rides (may 4, 1961 – dec 10, 1961)
Description:
-testing Boynton v. Virginia ruling (knew it wasn't de facto): blacks + whites (from CORE then SNCC) travelling together through Deep South (Washington to New Orleans), blacks in front of bus, using opposite facilities, refusing to move/switch
-aim: provoke racists --> crisis that federal government would have to address
-opposition: bus firebombed, bus destroyed, buses refused to take them further, Riders beaten by KKK mob (Birmingham bus station) & police knew but did nothing, 12 hospitalised
-RFK made deal with Mississippi: federal law wouldn't be enforced if violence was avoided (allowed arrests of Riders in Jackson), but segregation on interstate transport eventually banned (Sept.)
-exposed tension within movement: MLK didn't agree (causing anger/agitation/violence), MLK lost respect of SNCC as he refused to join Freedom Rides (referred to him as "De Lawd")
Added to timeline:
IB History: African American Civil Rights
Date:
