The Journey to Freedom

Montgomery, Alabama, May 20–21, 1961

On May 20, escorted by Alabama state troopers, the Nashville Riders travel from Birmingham to Montgomery. At the Montgomery city limits, the troopers disperse, and the Riders arrive at the Greyhound terminal only to be met with a mob of more than 200, who attack not just the Riders, but reporters and others, leaving more than 20 seriously injured.

On May 21, the Riders take refuge in the Montgomery First Baptist Church where they are joined by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and 1,500 supporters. A violent mob gathered outside the church is eventually driven off by National Guard troops sent by the Kennedy administration.