Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Stop on 1961 Freedom Rides
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2022
1. First Stop on 1961 Freedom Rides Marker
Inscription.
First Stop on 1961 Freedom Rides. . The Congress of Racial Equality, led by James Farmer, organized the Freedom Rides in 1961 to challenge racial segregation in interstate bus travel, which had persisted despite U.S. Supreme Court decisions barring segregation in seating (1946) and in terminal facilities (1960). After departing from Washington, D.C., on the morning of 4 May, the Freedom Riders first stopped here at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, where they integrated the restrooms and lunch counter without incident. As the riders traveled toward New Orleans, they encountered brutal resistance and arrest. Hundreds joined the campaign, prompting the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue new regulations enforcing desegregation.
The Congress of Racial Equality, led by James Farmer, organized the Freedom Rides in 1961 to challenge racial segregation in interstate bus travel, which had persisted despite U.S. Supreme Court decisions barring segregation in seating (1946) and in terminal facilities (1960). After departing from Washington, D.C., on the morning of 4 May, the Freedom Riders first stopped here at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, where they integrated the restrooms and lunch counter without incident. As the riders traveled toward New Orleans, they encountered brutal resistance and arrest. Hundreds joined the campaign, prompting the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue new regulations enforcing desegregation.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-155.)
Location. 38° 17.977′ N, 77° 27.494′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Princess Anne Street (Business U.S. 17) just
Click or scan to see this page online
north of Wolfe Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 17, 2022
2. First Stop on 1961 Freedom Rides Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
