The Journey to Freedom

Washington, D.C., May 4, 1961

On May 4, 1961, the CORE Freedom Ride departs Washington. Following several days of nonviolence training, 13 Freedom Riders and three journalists begin the journey on two separate buses. While the Riders attract little media attention, the Washington Post does publish a photo and short article about the Ride. Scheduled stops in Virginia to test segregated facilities meet no resistance.