The Freedom Riders
A short history
Who Were the Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists, both black and white, who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States in 1961 and subsequent years. Their goal was to challenge and test the Supreme Court rulings that had declared segregation on interstate buses and bus terminals unconstitutional, such as the 1960 decision in Boynton v. Virginia.
The Freedom Riders faced violent resistance, including beatings and arrests. Still, their courage drew national attention to the ongoing racial injustice in the South and helped strengthen the Civil Rights Movement. Their actions ultimately pressured the federal government to enforce desegregation laws in interstate transportation.
Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E)
The Congress of Racial Equality (C.O.R.E.) is a key interracial civil rights organization in the United States.
Founded in 1942 by James Farmer, C.O.R.E. used direct-action projects to improve race relations and end discriminatory policies. The group played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for equality and justice through nonviolent action.
You can read more about the C.O.R.E. principles below.
Nonviolent Direct Action
Grassroots Activism
Integration & Racial Equality
Personal Responsibility
About Charles Person (1942-2025)
Born in Atlanta, GA, on September 27, 1942, Charles was raised in a close-knit community where his passion for education and justice took root early. After graduating from David T. Howard High School as Class Salutatorian in 1960, he pursued his dreams of higher education in science but faced the harsh realities of segregation when denied admission to Georgia Tech due to his race. "Everywhere you went, signs were telling you what you could and could not do, and it was frustrating," said Charles in a 2021 interview. He then enrolled in Morehouse College and became committed to the civil rights movement. While attending Morehouse College, Charles began joining sit-ins to protest segregation in diners.
Charles and the other original 13 Freedom Riders, including Hank Thomas and the late Congressman John Lewis, set out to challenge segregation in interstate travel, as it had been declared unconstitutional. Yet, segregation signs and rules hadn't changed in the South. The Original 13 Freedom Riders sparked a movement in which hundreds of other Freedom Riders followed suit. His bravery and resolve during those tumultuous events left an inevitable mark on the struggle for justice and equality.
On May 14, 1961, Mother's Day, Charles was among the Freedom Riders on a Trailways bus that arrived in Anniston, Alabama. An hour earlier, a Greyhound bus carrying other Freedom Riders and C.O.R.E. representatives had been firebombed by the Ku Klux Klan. While the Trailways bus was stopped at the station in Anniston, the Freedom Riders were forced to separate by Klansmen, and the bus continued to Birmingham. Charles was among those badly beaten by an angry white mob inside the bus station; a moment immortalized in an iconic photograph taken by Birmingham photographer Tommy Langston.
From 1961 to 1981, Charles served his country with distinction in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a 1st Lieutenant, after 20 years. His service included a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he saw action in Da Nang and Chu Lai, as well as assignments in Okinawa, Japan, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, NC, New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta, GA. He received numerous medals and ribbons for his dedication. Following his military career, Charles remained at Guantanamo Bay Navy Base for three years, managing an electronic maintenance company. He later continued his career as an electronics technician with the Atlanta Public Schools System.
In his later years, Charles dedicated himself to education and advocacy for the civil rights movement. He shared his experiences with young people and encouraged peaceful resistance to injustice. In 2017, Charles played an instrumental role in creating the Freedom Riders National Monument in Anniston, Alabama.
In 2021, after George Floyd’s killing, mass riots broke out. Charles became determined to teach the younger generation the same principles he learned from C.O.R.E. as a young activist. He partnered with Pete Conroy, a Freedom Riders Park Board member, to establish the Freedom Riders Training Academy, designed to teach the principles of nonviolent protest and ensure the lessons of the civil rights movement continue to inspire future generations.
Charles was a man of quiet strength, humility, and unwavering resolve. He believed deeply in the power of community, education, and love to overcome hatred and division. His life was a testament to resilience and hope, and his legacy will remain a guiding light for all who strive for justice.
