On May 4, 1961 thirteen Black and white civil rights advocates boarded a Greyhound bus in Washington, DC, bound for New Orleans. Riding side by side, on interstate highways through the Jim Crow south, they sought to test the 1960 US Supreme Court decision that segregation of interstate transportation facilities was unconstitutional. From May to December 1961, over 400 women and men courageously challenged segregation, despite the danger refuting white supremacy presented at the time.
On Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 6:30pm to 8:30 p.m., join the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition, in collaboration with Carolina K-12, for a FREE virtual program to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides.
Our featured speaker will be David J. Dennis, JD, who was among the fearless and determined Freedom Riders, who will recount some of his experiences on the bus, and also his work as Co-director of Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), Mississippi Director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and a Coordinator of the Mississippi Freedom Summer.
Mr. Dennis will share the stage with Dr. Freddie L. Parker, Dr. William Sturkey, with a facilitated discussion by young leaders Derrick Davis (UNC-CH student) and Joyah Horton (NAACP Youth Council.).
In addition to elevating this important history, the program will also explore the ways in which the struggle for civil rights continues via discussion with local activists Braxton Foushee, LaTarndra Strong, Jerdene Alston, and Ajamu Dillahunt-Holloway, as well as local “artivists” Cortland Gilliam and Jerry Wilson of Black Out Loud. In addition, Chapel Hill Poet Laureate CJ Suitt will deliver a special tribute to Bayard Rustin.
The event is free and open to the public. Attending K-12 teachers can receive CEUs & lesson plans will be provided. Teachers are encouraged to invite their students to attend as well.
Suggested pre-viewing: https://www.pbs.org/video/american-experience-freedom-riders/.