About The Event
Thirteen riders left Washington on May 4, 1961.
The Congress of Racial Equality launched the Freedom Rides to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and at bus terminals. The original thirteen riders set out for New Orleans to test the federal government’s resolve to enforce desegregation law in the South. Their courage sparked a national movement as hundreds joined their mission to transform America.
Sixty-five years later, a coalition working for voting rights, racial justice and equity will retrace that route from October 17th to October 28th — to capture America’s imagination and to mobilize voters for the 2026 midterm election, through the South where that struggle continues to be most fiercely waged. The Ride is convened by Vote Common Good, Greater Things Foundation, Faith Out Loud, Americans United and Red Letter Christians. It is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) effort — read our nonpartisan statement.