GPB Passport icon GPB Passport icon Passport
GPB donate icon GPB donate icon Donate
Listen Live Listen Live Watch Live Watch Live
GPB Passport icon GPB Passport icon Passport
GPB donate icon GPB donate icon Donate

Freedom Riders

The story behind civil rights activists who challenged segregation in the American South.

Freedom Riders American Experience

Premiered February 06, 2012
Freedom Riders: asset-mezzanine-16x9
This video is unavailable in your area. Visit the PBS FAQ page for more information.
Freedom Riders

The story behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called Freedom Riders who in 1961 challenged segregation in the American South.

More Ways to Watch

Episode Extras

Watch a preview of Freedom Riders.
Watch (10:12)
Clip

Chapter 1 | Freedom Riders

Learn about the 1961 Freedom Rides from the Freedom Riders themselves.
Watch (01:35)
Clip

A Simple, But Daring Plan

Irene Morgan fought her 1944 arrest for sitting in the front of an interstate bus.
Watch (00:52)
Clip

Before Rosa Parks, There Was Irene Morgan

Even in prison, the Freedom Riders found ways to advocate for their beliefs.
Watch (02:16)
Clip

Buses Are A-Coming

Two activists reflect on what the Freedom Rides meant for the Civil Rights movement.
Watch (01:03)
Clip

Down Freedom's Main Line

Rebroadcasts Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Check your local listings.
Watch (00:30)
Preview

Freedom Riders Preview

Civil rights activists rehearsed non-violence, and were prepared to face violence.
Watch (01:03)
Clip

Practicing Non-Violence

May 1961, a busload of Freedom Riders were confronted by an angry mob in Montgomery, AL.
Watch (02:08)
Clip

This Was Absolute War

For African-Americans, travel in the segregated South was insulting at best.
Watch (00:28)
Clip

Travelling in the Segregated South

In this video from 1961, two Freedom Riders explain what they're doing.
Watch (00:36)
Clip

Why Be a Freedom Rider?

Carter asked Americans to cut down their energy usage during a fireside chat in 1977.
Watch (01:37)
Clip

Carter on the Economy: Energy Crisis

Alicia Skeeter talks with her peers about the words of civil rights leader James Farmer.
Watch (01:41)
Clip

Alicia Skeeter: James Farmer Quotes

Charles Reed Jr. discusses his thoughts at the end of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Day 10: Charles Reed Jr.

The final post from the Student Freedom Rider Jason McGaughey.
Watch (02:43)
Clip

Day 10: Jason McGaughey

Erica Shekell's video of reconciliation in Anniston, Alabama.
Watch (02:54)
Clip

Reconciliation in Anniston

Student Freedom Rider Esther Kim sings and plays "We Shall Overcome" on the ukulele.
Watch (03:59)
Clip

Day 10: Esther Kim

The final video of 2011 Student Freedom Rider Erica Shekell.
Watch (02:57)
Clip

Day 10: Erica Shekell

Student Tania Smith's video about the importance of music to the Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:29)
Clip

Day 10: Tania Smith

Sarah Cheshire interviews original riders Jim Zwerg and Joan Mulholland.
Watch (02:49)
Clip

Day 7: Sarah Cheshire

The student freedom riders attend a concert in the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Watch (00:38)
Clip

Day 7 at the 16th Street Church

Francisco Diaz asks his fellow riders what music inspires them.
Watch (03:06)
Clip

Day 8: Francisco Diaz

Student freedom rider Michael Tubbs speaks to students at Jim Hill High School.
Watch (02:56)
Clip

Michael Tubbs Speaks at Jim Hill High School

Doaa Dorgham films her fellow Student Freedom Riders' doing their own "freedom dances."
Watch (01:19)
Clip

Day 9: Doaa Dorgham

Karl Kumodzi shows the enthusiastic welcome received by the 2011 Freedom Ride.
Watch (01:53)
Clip

Day 10: Karl Kumodzi

Student Freedom Rider JoyEllen Freeman interviews Montgomery, AL native Stephanie Burton.
Watch (01:47)
Clip

Day 9: JoyEllen Freeman

Be one of 40 college students to join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides.
Watch (02:55)
Preview

2011 Student Freedom Ride

Benjameen describes three things he has learned on the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:53)
Clip

Day 10: Benjameen Quarless

Student Freedom Rider Rachael DeMarce places her name on the Wall of Tolerance.
Watch (00:46)
Clip

Day 10: Rachael DeMarce

Student Freedom Rider Meghna Chandra shares some of her favorite moments from Day 8.
Watch (02:06)
Clip

Day 8: Meghna Chandra

2011 Student Freedom Rider Will Dale reflects on the last few days of the ride.
Watch (01:21)
Clip

Day 9: Will Dale

Erica Shekell reflects on her time as a 2011 Student Freedom Rider.
Watch (02:53)
Clip

Day 6: Erica Shekell

Student Freedom Rider Anna Nutter describes her personal feelings about non-violence.
Watch (02:54)
Clip

Day 8: Anna Nutter

In Montgomery, AL, Student Freedom Rider Collis Crews reflects on hate crimes.
Watch (02:42)
Clip

Day 8: Collis Crews

Jayanni Webster asks her fellow Student Freedom Riders what are their greatest passions.
Watch (02:44)
Clip

Day 8: Jayanni Webster

Kaitlyn describes watching the film now knowing several of the original Freedom Riders
Watch (01:59)
Clip

Day 8: Kaitlyn Whiteside

Samantha Williams interviews Riders on their feelings about "the N word".
Watch (01:39)
Clip

Day 8: Samantha Williams

Carla Orendorff films her fellow Student Riders writing messages on the sidewalk in chalk.
Watch (02:49)
Clip

Day 9: Carla Orendorff

Davy Knittle asks his fellow Student Freedom Riders where their courage comes from.
Watch (02:41)
Clip

Day 9: Davy Knittle

Maricela Aguilar describes the variety of causes important to her fellow Student Riders.
Watch (02:38)
Clip

Day 9: Maricela Aguilar

Rachael's application for the 2011 Student Ride led to a special chat with her grandmother
Watch (02:57)
Clip

Day 9: Rachael DeMarce

Airs Monday, May 16, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Check your local listings.
Watch (02:16)
Preview

Freedom Riders Theatrical Trailer

The original Freedom Riders revisit the site of their 1961 arrest in Jackson, MS.
Watch (01:33)
Clip

Helen and Bob Singleton

An introductory video to Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:49)
Clip

Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez: Student Freedom Rider

An introduction to the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:30)
Preview

Meet the Riders

An introductory video to Nathan Roberson, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:20)
Clip

Nathan Roberson: Student Freedom Rider

Anna Nutter ponders why she was chosen to participate in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:57)
Clip

Day 4: Anna Nutter

Student Freedom Rider Carla Orendorff considers economic disparity.
Watch (02:52)
Clip

Day 6: Carla Orendorff

Behind the scenes with the Student Freedom Riders on Day 7 of the 2011 Ride.
Watch (01:59)
Clip

Day 7: Bakhrom Ismoilov

Rajlakshmi De interviews students about the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Watch (02:47)
Clip

Day 7: Rajlakshmi De

Student Freedom Rider Michellay Cole's Diary of a Freedom Rider, part 2.
Watch (02:09)
Clip

Day 8: Michellay Cole, Diary of a Freedom Rider

John Seigenthaler describes telling his grandson the story of the Freedom Rides.
Watch (02:58)
Clip

"Race still matters, Jack," from John Seigenthaler

Jason McGaughey asks his fellow Student Freedom Riders their definitions of reconciliation
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Day 5: Jason McGaughey

Student Freedom Rider LeRoy Ford reflects on the 2011 visit to Anniston, AL.
Watch (02:44)
Clip

Day 6: LeRoy Ford

"Nonviolence is creative" Davy Knittle raps in Marshall Houston's video.
Watch (01:32)
Clip

Day 6: Marshall Houston

Student Freedom Rider Tariq Meyers described the power of love to enable healing.
Watch (02:27)
Clip

Day 7: Tariq Meyers

Part 1 of Student Freedom Rider Charles Reed's video journal.
Watch (01:55)
Clip

Day 5: Charles Reed Jr.

In historically significant Anniston, AL, Esther Kim observes similarities to her hometown
Watch (02:56)
Clip

Day 5: Esther Kim

Student Freedom Rider Karl Kumodzi reflects on the 2011 Ride's visit to Anniston, AL.
Watch (02:57)
Clip

Day 5: Karl Kumodzi

Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez sings Freedom Songs with Earnest "Rip" Patton.
Watch (02:34)
Clip

Day 5: Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez

Alicia Skeeter asks what will be left in Anniston, AL after the bus leaves.
Watch (01:34)
Clip

Day 6: Alicia Skeeter

Two Student Freedom Riders perform a slam poem they wrote, "Equality."
Watch (01:46)
Clip

Day 6: May Mgbolu and Ryan Price

Student Freedom Rider Zilong Wang discusses injustices around the world today.
Watch (01:53)
Clip

Day 6: Zilong Wang

"This Little Light of Mine," by Charles Jones and the 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:53)
Clip

Charles Jones

Freedom Rider Rev. Reginald Green sings to the 40 student riders.
Watch (01:01)
Clip

Freedom Rider Reverend Reginald Green

Student Freedom Rider Ben Quarless reads a poem he composed.
Watch (02:05)
Clip

Day 4: Benjameen Quarless

Student Freedom Rider Collis Crews describes exhibits at the Civil Rights Museum.
Watch (01:27)
Clip

Day 4: Collis Crews

What are the questions that Americans do not ask themselves about race?
Watch (02:17)
Clip

Day 4: Davy Knittle

Doaa Dorgham interviews North Carolina students on the civil rights movement.
Watch (02:58)
Clip

Day 4: Doaa Dorgham

Student Rider JoyEllen Freeman asks Ernest "Rip" Patton whether he experienced self doubt.
Watch (02:26)
Clip

Day 4: JoyEllen Freeman

Student Freedom Rider Lily Astiz captures the deeper and lighter moments of the 2011 ride.
Watch (02:48)
Clip

Day 4: Lily Astiz

Student Freedom Rider Michael Tubbs "sees the light."
Watch (01:25)
Clip

Day 4: Michael Tubbs

Student Freedom Rider Pete Davis discusses his generation's desire for vessels for action.
Watch (01:39)
Clip

Day 4: Pete Davis

Student freedom rider Rachael DeMarce shares some exciting news.
Watch (01:42)
Clip

Day 4: Rachael DeMarce

Samantha Williams' interview with undocumented Student Freedom Rider Maricela Aguilar.
Watch (02:48)
Clip

Day 4: Samantha Williams

Student freedom rider Will Dale reacts to his time on the bus.
Watch (01:42)
Clip

Day 4: Will Dale

Student Freedom Rider Jayanni Webster discusses bringing together collective energy.
Watch (01:28)
Clip

Day 1: Jayanni Webster

Student rider Maricela Aguilar talks about the power of the youth movement.
Watch (02:56)
Clip

Day 3: Because We Knew it was Right

Student Freedom Rider Francisco Diaz interviews his peers about filmmaking and activism.
Watch (02:50)
Clip

Day 3: Filmmakers as Activists

John Walker gets reactions to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
Watch (02:52)
Clip

Day 3: John Walker

Student Freedom Rider Meghna Chandra asks what her peers do to facilitate change at home.
Watch (03:00)
Clip

Day 3: Meghna Chandra

Samantha Williams interviews undocumented Student Freedom Rider Maricela Aguilar.
Watch (02:09)
Clip

Day 3: Samantha Williams

A profile of Doaa Dorgham, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:36)
Clip

Meet Doaa Dorgham

Bakhrom Ismoilov asks fellow students about their first two days on the 2011 Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:56)
Clip

Day 2: Bakhrom Ismoilov

Diana Mahoney interviews fellow student freedom riders about the southern perspective.
Watch (02:00)
Clip

Day 2: Diana Mahoney

Marshall Houston asks: What is my identity? What are my beliefs? And what are my actions?
Watch (01:50)
Clip

Day 2: Marshall Houston

Michellay Cole's Diary of a Freedom Rider interviews three of the Original Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:49)
Clip

Day 2: Michellay Cole, Diary of a Freedom Rider

Student Rajlakshmi De talks to Freedom Rider Helen Singleton about her own mother.
Watch (02:27)
Clip

Day 2: Mother's Day Recollections

Sarah Cheshire asks, What does the concept of enacting social change mean?
Watch (02:32)
Clip

Day 2: Sarah Cheshire

Day 2: Student Freedom Ride -- Follow Their Journey
Watch (00:40)
Preview

Day 2: Student Freedom Ride

Student rider Tariq Meyers draws parallels between the 2011 Riders and the story of Jacob.
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Day 2: Tariq Meyers

Carla Orendorff reflects on Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:34)
Clip

Day 1: Carla Orendorff

Carla Orendorff talks to her 39 fellow student freedom riders.
Watch (02:36)
Clip

Day 1: Carla's

Kaitlyn Whiteside talks about Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (01:07)
Clip

Day 1: Kaitlyn Whiteside

LeRoy Ford talks about the speakers of Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:38)
Clip

Day 1: LeRoy Ford

May Mgbolu speaks about the first day of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (01:26)
Clip

Day 1: May Mgbolu

Ryan Price, 2011 Student Freedom Rider, reflects on Day 1.
Watch (02:38)
Clip

Day 1: Ryan Price

Stephanie Burton reflects on Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (00:47)
Clip

Day 1: Stephanie Burton

An interview by Zilong Wang, 2011 Student Freedom Rider, on Day 1.
Watch (01:21)
Clip

Day 1: Zilong Wang

Singing and riding the bus from Washington, D.C. to Fredericksburg, VA.
Watch (01:31)
Preview

Day 2: From DC to Fredericksburg, VA

2011 Student Freedom Rider Robert Sgrignoli shares his perspective.
Watch (02:57)
Clip

Day 2: Robert Sgrignoli

"As human beings, we have a right to truth," says Alicia Skeeter.
Watch (01:43)
Clip

Student Freedom Ride Day 1: Alicia Skeeter

Scenes from the kickoff of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride.
Watch (02:20)
Clip

2011 Student Freedom Ride Kickoff

Freedom Rider Bernard Lafayette sings a song before the 2011 Student Freedom Ride begins.
Watch (00:20)
Clip

Freedom Rider Bernard Lafayette Sings

A profile of Ryan Price, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Meet Ryan Price

A profile of Peter Davis, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (01:59)
Clip

Meet Peter Davis

Meet Rob Sgrignoli, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (01:37)
Clip

Meet Robert Sgrignoli

A profile of Tariq Meyers, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Meet Tariq Meyers

A profile of Zilong Wang, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:59)
Clip

Meet Zilong Wang

A profile of Liliana Astiz, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:33)
Clip

Meet Liliana Astiz

A profile of Tania Smith, one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (02:46)
Clip

Meet Tania Smith

An introductory video to Karl Kumodzi, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:42)
Clip

Karl Kumodzi: Student Freedom Rider

A profile of Charles Reed, Jr., one of the 40 student freedom riders.
Watch (01:30)
Clip

Meet Charles Reed, Jr.

Future Freedom Riders were trained in nonviolence.
Watch (04:15)
Clip

The Fresh Troops: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Former students in the 1960s South recount the difficulty of the practice of nonviolence.
Watch (04:55)
Clip

The Tactic: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

The state of Mississippi's plan to bankrupt CORE backfired on August 14, 1961.
Watch (03:44)
Clip

The Turning Point: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Janie McKinney was twelve years old when the Freedom Riders came through her hometown.
Watch (04:59)
Clip

The Young Witness: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

An introductory video to Alicia Skeeter, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:56)
Clip

Alicia Skeeter: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Anna Nutter, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (02:36)
Clip

Anna Nutter: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Bakhrom Ismoilov, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:55)
Clip

Bakhrom Ismoilov: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Benjameen Quarless, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:24)
Clip

Benjameen Quarless: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Carla Orendorff, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:34)
Clip

Carla Orendorff: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Charles Reed Jr., one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:39)
Clip

Charles Reed, Jr: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Collis Crews, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:00)
Clip

Collis Crews: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Davy Knittle, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:04)
Clip

Davy Knittle: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Diana Mahoney, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:38)
Clip

Diana Mahoney: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Doaa Dorgham, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:08)
Clip

Doaa Dorgham: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Erica Shekell, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (02:18)
Clip

Erica Shekell: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Esther Kim, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:34)
Clip

Esther Kim: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Francisco Diaz, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:50)
Clip

Francisco Diaz: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Jason McGaughey, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:20)
Clip

Jason McGaughey: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Jayanni Webster, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:51)
Clip

Jayanni Webster: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to John Walker, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:23)
Clip

John Walker: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to JoyEllen Freeman, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:45)
Clip

JoyEllen Freeman: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Kaitlyn Whiteside, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:22)
Clip

Kaitlyn Whiteside: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to LeRoy Ford, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:28)
Clip

LeRoy Ford: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Liliana Graciela Astiz, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:50)
Clip

Liliana Graciela Astiz: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:49)
Clip

Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Maricela Aguilar, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:39)
Clip

Maricela Aguilar: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Marshall Houston, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:47)
Clip

Marshall Houston: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to May Mgbolu, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:56)
Clip

May Mgbolu: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Meghna Chandra, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:18)
Clip

Meghna Chandra: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Michael Tubbs, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:52)
Clip

Michael Tubbs: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Michellay Cole, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:23)
Clip

Michellay Cole: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Peter Davis, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:52)
Clip

Peter Davis: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Rachael DeMarce, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:10)
Clip

Rachael DeMarce: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Rajlakshmi De, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:46)
Clip

Rajlakshmi De: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Robert Sgrignoli, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (02:02)
Clip

Robert Sgrignoli: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Ryan Price, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:44)
Clip

Ryan Price: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Samantha Williams, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:04)
Clip

Samantha Williams: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Sarah Cheshire, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:38)
Clip

Sarah Cheshire: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Stephanie Burton, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:51)
Clip

Stephanie Burton: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Tania Smith, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:18)
Clip

Tania Smith: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Tariq Meyers, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:49)
Clip

Tariq Meyers: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to William Dale, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:40)
Clip

William Dale: Student Freedom Rider

An introductory video to Zilong Wang, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders.
Watch (00:57)
Clip

Zilong Wang: Student Freedom Rider

As a white Freedom Rider, Jim Zwerg sustained severe injuries.
Watch (04:56)
Clip

The Exchange Student: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent movement inspired American civil rights activists.
Watch (03:32)
Clip

The Inspiration: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Group singing provided solace for Freedom Riders.
Watch (04:53)
Clip

The Music: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Future Freedom Riders trained in Nashville by role-playing nonviolence.
Watch (04:57)
Clip

The Strategy: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

The Freedom Riders represented a cross-section of America.
Watch (04:08)
Clip

The Movement: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

The Journey of Reconciliation, the very first Freedom Ride, took place in April 1947.
Watch (03:04)
Clip

The Pioneers: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Patterson discusses his response to the Freedom Rides.
Watch (04:43)
Clip

The Governor: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Diane Nash became the leader of the Nashville Student Movement.
Watch (04:44)
Clip

The Student Leader: A Short Film from Freedom Riders

Freedom Riders came from diverse backgrounds but shared common goals.
Watch (01:01)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Democracy in Action

Traveling in the South was dangerous for blacks.
Watch (00:57)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Freedom to Travel, part 1

Southern state laws prevent segregated travel.
Watch (00:51)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Freedom to Travel, part 2

On September 22, 1961, the ICC ordered all signage enforcing segregation to be taken down.
Watch (00:34)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Freedom to Travel, part 3

Separation of the races was the status quo.
Watch (00:19)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jim Crow Laws

America's racial issues are broadcast in the Soviet Union.
Watch (00:39)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: the Cold War

Scenes of bloody violence are reported across the country.
Watch (01:05)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: The Media, part 1

Reporter Herb Kaplow recounts his experience when covering the Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:14)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: The Media, part 2

JFK tread carefully around the core of the Democratic Party, the white voting South.
Watch (01:11)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: the Solid South

Rabbi Dresser and Delore Boyd comment on the power of nonviolent methods.
Watch (01:06)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Victory for Nonviolence,...

Freedom Riders participated in CORE training sessions before getting on the bus.
Watch (02:09)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Victory for Nonviolence,...

Bernard Lafayette speaks about traveling from Montgomery, Alabama into Mississippi.
Watch (02:10)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Bernard Lafayette on His...

Bernard Lafayette speaks about traveling in the South.
Watch (01:13)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Bernard Lafayette on Jim...

Bernard Lafayette speaks about three groups from the Nashville Student Movement.
Watch (02:06)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Bernard Lafayette on the...

Bernard Lafayette speaks about acting from his conscience and training in Nashville.
Watch (03:01)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Bernard Lafayette on The...

Bernard Lafayette speaks about nonviolence as a response.
Watch (01:11)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Bernard Lafayette on...

Catherine Burke Brooks speaks about racist treatment in the South.
Watch (00:40)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Catherine Burks-Brooks on...

Catherine Burks-Brooks speaks about being expelled from Tennessee State.
Watch (00:25)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Catherine Burks-Brooks on...

Catherine Burks-Brooks speaks about deciding to join a Freedom Ride.
Watch (01:51)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Catherine Burks-Brooks on...

Genevieve Hughes speaks about her disappointment at the lack of press coverage.
Watch (00:46)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Genevieve Hughes on The Media

Genevieve Hughes speaks about Jim Farmer not wanting her on the Ride.
Watch (00:54)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Genevieve Hughes on The...

Genevieve Hughes speaks about press coverage increasing due to the violence.
Watch (00:46)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Genevieve Hughes on...

Janie McKinney speaks about the Southern society as a house of cards.
Watch (00:37)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Janie McKinney on Jim Crow...

Janie McKinney speaks about Southerners angered by the Federal Government.
Watch (00:25)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Janie McKinney on The...

Jerry Moore explains the purpose of the Freedom Rides.
Watch (01:09)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jerry Moore on Jim Crow Laws

Jerry Moore speaks about what the Freedom Rides accomplished.
Watch (01:13)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jerry Moore on What Came Next

Jim Lawson speaks about JFK and the Cold War as a critical issue facing the U.S.
Watch (01:46)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jim Lawson on The Cold War

Jim Lawson speaks about nonviolence training in Washington, DC and Nashville, TN.
Watch (01:15)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jim Lawson on the Victory...

Jim Lawson speaks about why he chose nonviolence intervention.
Watch (00:56)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Jim Lawson on Why a Victory...

John Lewis speaks about traveling in 1960.
Watch (01:13)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Lewis on Freedom to...

John Lewis speaks about the Freedom Rides' accomplishments.
Watch (01:53)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Lewis on the Spirit of...

John Seigenthaler speaks about Martin Luther King liberating black and white Americans.
Watch (01:30)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Seigenthaler on...

Pauline Knight-Ofuso speaks about the black press.
Watch (01:00)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Pauline Knight-Ofuso on The...

Pauline Knight-Ofuso speaks about difficulties for black people traveling in the South.
Watch (01:48)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Pauline Knight-Ofuso on...

Ray Arsenault speaks about the ICC desegregation order.
Watch (01:30)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Ray Arsenault on Democracy...

Reverend C.T. Vivian speaks about why blacks were resisting oppression in the 1960s.
Watch (02:28)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Rev. C.T. Vivian on Jim...

Reverend C.T. Vivian speaks about the effect of employing non-violent tactics.
Watch (02:55)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Rev. C.T. Vivian on the...

Reverend C.T. Vivian speaks about Robert F. Kennedy asking for a cooling off period.
Watch (00:58)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Rev. C.T. Vivian on...

Glenda Davis speaks about her childhood and Jim Crow laws.
Watch (00:58)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Glenda Davis on Jim Crow Laws

Glenda Davis speaks about the Southern white press.
Watch (00:58)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Glenda Davis on The Media

Glanda Davis speaks about white people thinking about segregation in a different way.
Watch (01:29)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Glenda Davis on the Spirit...

Hank Thomas talks about meeting with white students from American University.
Watch (02:06)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Hank Thomas on Meeting...

Hank Thomas speaks about it being easier to drive across East Berlin than the South.
Watch (00:58)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Hank Thomas on the Cold War

Hank Thomas speaks about dressing well during the Freedom Rides.
Watch (01:53)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Hank Thomas on The Media

Israel Dresner speaks about joining the Freedom Rides.
Watch (01:20)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Israel Dresner on His...

Israel Dresner speaks about the Solid South.
Watch (01:13)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Israel Dresner on the Solid...

John Patterson speaks about Jim Crow Laws.
Watch (01:29)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Patterson on Jim Crow...

John Patterson speaks about the slow progress of integration.
Watch (01:40)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Patterson on Slow...

John Patterson speaks about JFK carrying the Solid South.
Watch (01:12)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Patterson on the South

John Patterson speaks about the Freedom Ride in Anniston.
Watch (01:37)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: John Patterson on the...

Reverend C.T. Vivian speaks about the Kennedys' response to the Freedom Riders.
Watch (01:00)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Rev. C.T. Vivian on the...

William Harbour speaks about his Freedom Ride and Bull Connor
Watch (02:28)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: William Harbour on His...

Israel Dresner speaks about Nonviolence.
Watch (01:46)
Clip

From the film Freedom Riders: Israel Dresner on Nonviolence

All Episodes

American Experience: Season 23

Freedom Riders: asset-mezzanine-16x9
Watch (1:52:18)

Freedom Riders

Stonewall Uprising: asset-mezzanine-16x9
Watch (1:20:50)

Stonewall Uprising

The Great Famine: asset-mezzanine-16x9
This Episode's video requires a Passport account.
Watch (52:20)

The Great Famine

Triangle Fire: asset-mezzanine-16x9
Watch (52:10)

Triangle Fire

The Greely Expedition: asset-mezzanine-16x9
Watch (52:12)

The Greely Expedition

The Panama Canal: asset-mezzanine-16x9
Watch (00:30)

The Panama Canal

Program Specials & Extras

Learn about the beginning of the environmental justice movement.
Watch (04:33)
Clip

Earthkeeping: Toxic Racism

一起來了解1900 年舊金山爆發的淋巴腺鼠疫如何引起恐懼和反亞裔情緒。
This Episode's video requires a Passport account.
Watch (1:53:20)
Special

Plague at the Golden Gate (Chinese)

Descubra cómo la peste bubónica desató miedo y sentir antiasiático en San Francisco.
This Episode's video requires a Passport account.
Watch (1:52:39)
Special

Plague at the Golden gate (español)

About the Program

American Experience

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Connect with American Experience

Here’s your ticket to stream.

Stream the best of public television on demand with GPB Passport: MASTERPIECE dramas and mysteries, NOVA, Ken Burns documentaries, Finding Your Roots and more. Binge full seasons, get early access to new episodes before they air on television and catch up on programs you missed with this powerful donor benefit from GPB!

Sign in

You May Also Enjoy ...

More GPB TV

A Seat At The Table
American Experience
Finding Your Roots
NOVA
All TV Shows