50th Anniversary Of Freedom Rides

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HISTORIC FREEDOM RIDES TO CONVENE IN JACKSON

 JACKSON, MS

– An historic reunion 50 years in the making will be arriving in Jackson, Mississippi the week of May 22. The 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides will take place at various locations around Jackson and the Mississippi Delta. The events running from May 22-26 are a celebration of the spirit of reconciliation and are being organized by the Mississippi Freedom 50th

Foundation, a non-profit, charitable 501 (c)(3) organization.

"The goal of these events is to teach our nation’s younger generation about the importance of the civil rights movement and most importantly the lessons of reconciliation," said Hank Thomas, one of original 1961 Freedom Riders and Chairman of the National Board of Directors of the Foundation.

FREE EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

-Opening Public Reception & Program Welcoming the Freedom Riders

The Jackson Marriott, Windsor Ballroom

Monday, May 23, 10 a.m.

-Interfaith Memorial Service

Woodworth Chapel, Tougaloo College

Tuesday, May 24, 11 a.m.

-Greyhound Bus Station Freedom Trail Marker Dedication

219 N. Lamar Street, Jackson, MS

Tuesday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.

-All People’s Program honoring the Freedom Riders at the original location of the Trailways Bus Station

Adjacent to the Jackson Convention Complex and Mississippi Art Center

(Corner of Pascagoula & Lamar Streets)

Tuesday, May 24

-All People’s Public Reception Exhibit & Book Fair

Jackson Convention Complex

Thursday, May 26

1 All People’s Public Reception, Masonic Temple

1072 J.R. Lynch Street

Thursday, May 26

-"The Parchman Hour" Play by Mike Wiley Productions

Jackson State University, Rose McCoy Auditorium

There is a separate schedule for the National Youth Leadership Summit for the Reunion. For information and details on the Youth Summit and other ticketed events, or to register, please visit www.MS50thFreedomRidersReunion.org or call 601-979-1517.

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Mississippi Freedom 50th Foundation, Inc., whose board includes such civil rights luminaries as Freedom Rider and U.S. Representative John Lewis, Freedom Rider and U.S. Representative Bob Filner and U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and Freedom Rider and Chairman of the National Board of Directors Mississippi Freedom 50th Foundation, Hank Thomas.

About the 1961 Freedom Rides

In the early 1960’s, this nonviolent protest helped to bring about the desegregation of bus and train stations and airports throughout the South. In addition, the Freedom Riders helped ignite the civil rights movement nationwide providing a model that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring greater equality for all Americans.

On May 4, 1961, the first Freedom Riders, a group of 13 activists—black and white, male and female of various faiths and ages- rode interstate buses integrating bus station stops along their journey in a push to get the federal government to enforce a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting segregation in bus stations.

During their travels, Freedom Riders stopped in Anniston, Alabama, where they faced their first mob Attacks. The bus had its tires slashed and was forced off the road and was firebombed. In Birmingham they were beaten by mobs for several minutes before police showed up. They faced the same violence in Montgomery before making their way to Jackson, Mississippi.

In Mississippi, Freedom Riders were arrested and carted off to jail on charges of Breach of Peace. The Riders abandoned their original destination of New Orleans and instead adopted the tactic of jail – no bail. They refused to pay their fines or post bail and instead invited new Freedom Riders to come to Jackson. Freedom Riders from around the country responded and

filled the jails to overflowing. They were then sent to the state penitentiary at Parchman to serve prison terms of approximately 45 days.

In all, 436 people would become Freedom Riders in 1961-329 were arrested in Mississippi. On September 23

rd

, the Interstate Commerce Commission mandated an end to segregation in all bus stations and airports. The Freedom Riders won.

About the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau

The mission of the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau is to promote Jackson as a premier vacation and meeting destination and to promote events, attractions, and exhibits that contribute to the quality of life for Mississippians.

The JCVB website (www.visitjackson.com) provides a complete tour of the city, with detail information on attractions, lodging, Bureau services and restaurants, as well as a detailed Calendar of Events.

MDA TOURISM ANNOUNCES JACKSON FREEDOM TRAIL MARKER UNVEILINGS

The Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division announced the creation of the Mississippi Freedom Trail, a major cultural initiative designed to commemorate the state’s Civil Rights heritage. The trail will offer a virtual tour of the state and those sites that played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.

The first two markers in the City of Jackson will be unveiled as follows:

Monday, May 23- 4 p.m.*                     Medgar Evers’ House in Jackson

*note time change from earlier releases

Tuesday, May 24- 11 a.m.                    Greyhound Bus Station in Jackson

“The Mississippi Freedom Trail will be an outstanding educational attraction that will honor those from around the country who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement here,” Gov. Haley Barbour said. “The trail will complement the Civil Rights Museum to be located in Jackson. Many people travel to Mississippi hoping to learn more about our history. This trail will be a great resource for visitors touring our state.”