Who were the Freedom Riders, and what was their objective?

The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who sought to challenge and dismantle segregation laws, particularly those that enforced racial segregation in public transportation. Emerging in the early 1960s, these activists organized bus journeys throughout the American South. Their primary objective was to test the Supreme Court rulings that declared segregation in interstate bus travel unconstitutional. By intentionally riding interstate buses through segregated states and refusing to obey local segregation laws, the Freedom Riders aimed to highlight the unjust treatment of African Americans and draw national attention to the struggle against racial discrimination. Their courage and commitment helped galvanize public support for the civil rights movement, contributing to significant legislative changes in the fight for racial equality.