Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Civil Rights Freedom Riders
May 20, 1961
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 18, 2020
1. Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker
Inscription.
Civil Rights Freedom Riders. May 20, 1961. On May 20, 1961, a group of black and white SNCC members led by John Lewis left Birmingham for Montgomery on a Greyhound bus. They were determined to continue the "Freedom Ride" from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans that had met with violence in Birmingham. Their purpose was to test a court case, "Boynton vs. Virginia," declaring segregation in bus terminals unconstitutional. Upon arriving in Montgomery, their police escort disappeared, and an angry mob of over 200 Klan supporters attacked and injured them at the Greyhound terminal. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was so enraged that he sent in 450 U.S. Marshals and thus became active in the movement.
On May 20, 1961, a group of black and white SNCC members led by John Lewis left Birmingham for Montgomery on a Greyhound bus. They were determined to continue the "Freedom Ride" from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans that had met with violence in Birmingham. Their purpose was to test a court case, "Boynton vs. Virginia," declaring segregation in bus terminals unconstitutional. Upon arriving in Montgomery, their police escort disappeared, and an angry mob of over 200 Klan supporters attacked and injured them at the Greyhound terminal. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was so enraged that he sent in 450 U.S. Marshals and thus became active in the movement.
Erected 1995 by Greyhound and Kenneth Mullinax Jr.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1994.
Location. 32° 22.479′ N, 86° 18.54′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of South Court Street and Adams Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 S Court St, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Let Freedom Ride (here, next to this marker); Lomax House, 1848 (within
2. Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker in front of former Greyhound Bus Station.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,320 times since then and 168 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on October 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
