The Freedom Rides

Impressed by the Greensboro sit-ins by SNCC, CORE joined forces with them to challenge segregation on interstate travel. In 1961 CORE and SNCC activists went on 'Freedom Rides' to test the Supreme court ruling that segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional and the 1946 Morgan Vs. Virginia ruling wasn't being enforced. Black activists sat in white only seats and attempted to use white-only restaurants and facilities at bus terminals.

When the Freedom Riders entered Alabama they encountered intense resistance as one bus was firebombed with it;s tyres slit and riders beaten in Anniston. Eugene 'Bull' Connor allowed buses to be attacked by the KKK. Kennedy called for the…