(The Root) — The Greyhound Bus Station on South Court Street in downtown Montgomery, Ala., was supposed to be an ordinary stop for freedom riders in May 1961traveling through the Deep Southto challenge segregation. But for the riders, and even their federal-appointed escort, mob violence altered their course, marking an important touchstone in the history of the nation’s civil rights movement.
The 400 or so blacks and whiteswho over a period of about eight months set out to change a region separated by race on public transportation, traveled together on buses, blurring the color lines in a way not accepted at that time by the white majority. For that, they faced great resistance, violence and threats to their lives.
It takes more than 17 hours today to drive the 1,000 miles that stretch between the original freedom rides’ starting point in Washington, D.C., and its final destination, New Orleans.
Today, more than 50 years after that spirited challenge, road trippers can visit museums, some historical markers and even digital exhibits that help retell the story for new generations.
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