Who were the Freedom Riders?

The Freedom Riders were activists who challenged segregation on interstate buses during the early 1960s, specifically in 1961. They were part of the Civil Rights Movement and aimed to test the enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that declared segregation in public transportation unconstitutional. The group included both Black and white individuals who traveled together on Greyhound and Trailways buses through the Southern United States. Their actions were significant not only for highlighting the continued practice of segregation despite legal rulings but also for galvanizing public attention and support for civil rights. The bravery of the Freedom Riders in facing violence and hostility underscored the ongoing struggle for racial equality and played a crucial role in bringing about change regarding civil rights laws in America.