Greyhound Bus Station Protest, May 14, 1961 - Anniston, AL
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 33° 39.485 W 085° 49.880
16S E 608357 N 3724858
Located on Gurnee Avenue near West 10th Street, Anniston
Waymark Code: WM15XJR
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 03/17/2022
Views: 2
Side 1
This was the site of the Greyhound bus terminal where on May 14, 1961, a bus carrying black and white Civil Rights Activists known as "Freedom Riders" was attacked by a mob of whites who were protesting desegregation of public transportation facilities.
As the Riders remained on board, the mob hit the bus with bats and pipes, slashed its tires, and shouted insults. After local law enforcement intervened, the bus departed for Birmingham.
Continued on reverse
Side 2
Six miles outside Anniston on Alabama Highway 202, the Greyhound bus that had been attacked earlier by a mob of white extremists on this site was forced to stop because of a deflated tire. The pursuing mob intensified its attack and set the bus on fire, forcing the riders to depart. On board were "Freedom Riders" who were testing Boynton v. Virginia, the Supreme Court decision that segregation of public transportation was illegal.
After federal intervention at the site of the burning bus, the injured Riders were transported by ambulance to Anniston Memorial Hospital. The violence prompted a federal investigation.
See reverse
Marker Name: Greyhound Bus Station Protest, May 14, 1961
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Erected by City of Anniston Historic Trails Program
Part of the Anniston Civil Rights Trail
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2016
Marker Number: 3
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Visit Instructions:
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