From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans laid their lives—many endured savage beatings and imprisonment—for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws, the Freedom Riders’ belief in non-violent activism was tested as mob violence and bitter racism greeted them along the way. “Freedom Riders” examines the 1961 and earlier Freedom Rides from many perspectives -especially from the many women who were on the front lines, that of the Riders themselves, the Kennedy administration, and the international community.

Featuring Carlton Bacon, Leonard Barrett, Jada Dixon, Kurt Soderson, Candy Brown, Kris Angela Washington, Itha Gabriel on Foley. Special guest James Lawson, Terry Sutherland, riders from the summer of 1961, plus Dr. Vincent Harding. They will join the audience for a community dialogue on race and other issues that face our nation, plus share the firsthand account of the rides. Featuring singers from ‘Southern Journey’ performing songs from the Southern Freedom Movement.