Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Civil Rights Freedom Riders

May 14, 1961

Photographed By Tim Carr, March 10, 2008

1. Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker

Inscription. On Mother's Day, May 14, 1961, a group of black and white CORE youth on a "Freedom Ride" from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans arrived by bus at the Birmingham Greyhound terminal. They were riding through the deep south to test a court case, "Boynton vs. Virginia", declaring segregation in bus terminals unconstitutional. Here they were met and attacked by a mob of Klansmen. The riders were severely assaulted while the police watched, yet the youth stood their ground.

Erected 1995 by Alabama Historical Commission, Greyhound and Kenneth Mullinax Jr.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1904.

Location. 33° 31.002′ N, 86° 48.534′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of 19th Street North and 4th Avenue North, on the right when traveling north on 19th Street North. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trailways Bus Station (here, next to this marker); Picketing for a Point (within shouting distance of this marker); South at the White House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Equality for All (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bad Guy (within shouting distance of this marker); S. H. Kress Five-And-Ten Cent Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Courthouse Prayer (about 400 feet away); Shutting Down Downtown (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Also see . . . NPR's Get On the Bus: The Freedom Riders of 1961 by Terry Gross. (Submitted on January 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Photographed By Tim Carr, March 10, 2008

2. Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker

The Birmingham Greyhound Bus Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, February 13, 2010

3. The Birmingham Greyhound Bus Station

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,963 times since then and 72 times this year. Last updated on May 28, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 3. submitted on February 14, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.