"SEGREGATION MUST BE STOPPED. IT MUST BE BROKEN DOWN"

FREEDOM RIDERS ATTACKED WITH CLUBS & METAL PIPES IN ALABAMA

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) On May 20, 1961, a bus load of Freedom Riders came under attack here in Montgomery.  Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy had convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport this group to the Alabama state capital, but  when they arrived at the bus terminal, 300 segregationists were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes.

Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg* and John Lewis.**  Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob.

From his hospital bed, Mr. Swerg said...

"Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery...

"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

*Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.
 
**John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.   JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.

            John Lewis and Jim Swerg
            After the Montgomery Attack
                           May 20, 1961

                   

"THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES"

JFK ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER ATTACK ON FREEDOM RIDERS 

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) On May 20, 1961, a bus load of Freedom Riders* came under attack here in Montgomery.  300 segregationists were waiting at the city's bus terminal armed with clubs and metal pipes.

Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg** and John Lewis.***  Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob. 

John Lewis later described what he had experienced...

"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die."

Later in the day, President John F. Kennedy issued the following statement...

"The situation...in Alabama is a source of the deepest concern.  I have instructed the Justice Department to take all necessary steps based on their investigations and information.  I call upon the Governor...and other officials...to exercise their lawful authority to prevent any further outbreaks of violence.  I hope...local officials...will meet their responsibilities.  The United States Government intends to meet its."

*Freedom Riders were young people who challenged racial laws in the American South during the early 1960s, originally by refusing to abide by laws directing segregated seating by race on public buses.

**Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

***John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.   JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  

SOURCE

"Statement by the President Concerning Interference With the 'Freedom Riders' in Alabama.  May 20, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States:  John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.

John Lewis & Jim Swerg

Civil Rights Exhibition Photo
The Newseum

IT WAS VERY VIOLENT. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE

SEGREGATIONISTS ATTACK FREEDOM RIDERS IN ALABAMA

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) On May 20, 1961, a bus load of Freedom Riders* came under attack here in Montgomery.  Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport a group of Freedom Riders to the Alabama state capital but when they arrived at the bus terminal 300 segregationists were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes. 

Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg** and John Lewis.***  Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob. From his hospital bed, Mr. Swerg said..."Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery this way...
"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

An administrative assistant to the Attorney General, John Seigenthaler,**** who had been sent to Montgomery as chief negotiator for the Kennedy administration, was knocked unconscious while attempting to assist a young female freedom rider who was being chased by the angry mob.

President John F. Kennedy called upon Alabama Governor John Patterson to exercise his authority to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

*Freedom Riders were young people who challenged racial laws in the American South during the early 1960s, originally by refusing to abide by laws directing segregated seating by race on public buses.

**Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

***John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.   JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  

****John Seigenthaler, Sr. (1927-2014) was born in Nashville, TN.  He served in the USAF and began his career in journalism with the Nashville Tennessean.  In 1961, John served as RFK's assistant in the Justice Department and became publisher of the TENNESSEAN in 1973.

John Seigenthaler, Sr.

Nashville Public Library

Nashville, Tennessee

June 4, 2008

Photo by John White

A BLOODY SUNDAY IN SELMA

CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHERS ATTACKED WITH CLUBS & TEAR GAS

Selma, Alabama (JFK+50) On March 7, 1965, 600 marchers demonstrating for voting rights were brutally attacked with clubs and tear gas by state and local police here in Selma.

After crossing Edmund Pettus Bridge, the group, led by John Lewis* of SNCC (Southern Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and Rev. Hosea Williams** of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, were confronted by authorities.

17 marchers were injured and  hospitalized. Leaders of the march said that despite the attacks, more marches would follow.  Of the 15,000 blacks in Dallas County in 1961 only 130 were registered to vote. 

"Bloody Sunday" was one of the key events leading to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

*John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.  JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  

**Hosea Lorenzo Williams (1926-2000) was born in Attapulgus, Georgia & survived a German attack as a US Army soldier in WWII.   HLW received the Purple Heart.  HLW became a businessman, ordained minister & leader in the civil rights movement.

SOURCE

"5 things to know about Bloody Sunday this weekend," by the editors of USA Today, March 7, 2015,  www.usatoday.com/

Bloody Sunday
Selma, Alabama (1965)

By Kevin Saff
at en.wikipedia

SEGREGATION MUST BE STOPPED

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1955

FREEDOM RIDERS ATTACKED IN ALABAMA

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, May 20, 1961, a bus load of Freedom Riders* came under attack here in Montgomery.

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy had convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport this group of Freedom Riders to the Alabama state capital at Montgomery but when they arrived at the bus terminal
300 segregationists were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes.  Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg** and John Lewis.***

Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob.  From his hospital bed, Mr. Swerg said...

"Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery this way...

"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

An administrative assistant to the Attorney General, John Seigenthaler,**** who had been sent to Montgomery as chief negotiator for the Kennedy administration, was knocked unconscious while attempting to assist a young female freedom rider who was being chased by the angry mob.

President John F. Kennedy called upon Alabama Governor John Patterson to exercise his authority to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

*Freedom Riders were young people who challenged racial laws in the American South during the early 1960s, originally by refusing to abide by laws directing segregated seating by race on public buses.

**Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

***John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.   JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  

****John Seigenthaler, Sr. (1927-2014) was born in Nashville, TN.  He served in the USAF and began his career in journalism with the Nashville Tennessean.  In 1961, John served as RFK's assistant in the Justice Department and became publisher of the TENNESSEAN in 1973.

John Seigenthaler, Sr.

Nashville Public Library

Nashville, Tennessee

June 4, 2008

Photo by John White

John Lewis and Jim Swerg

May 20, 1961

                 

ATTACK ON FREEDOM RIDERS

MAYHEM IN MONTGOMERY ALABAMA 54 YEARS AGO TODAY

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, May 20, 1961, a bus load of Freedom Riders* came under attack here in Montgomery.  Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy had convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport this group of Freedom Riders to the Alabama state capital at Montgomery.

When they arrived at the bus terminal, however, 300 segregationists were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes.  Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg** and John Lewis.***

Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob.  From his hospital bed, Mr. Swerg said..."Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery this way...
"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

An administrative assistant to the Attorney General, John Seigenthaler,**** who had been sent to Montgomery as chief negotiator for the Kennedy administration, was knocked unconscious while attempting to assist a young female freedom rider who was being chased by the angry mob.

President John F. Kennedy called upon Alabama Governor John Patterson to exercise his authority to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

*Freedom Riders were young people who challenged racial laws in the American South during the early 1960s, originally by refusing to abide by laws directing segregated seating by race on public buses.

**Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

***John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.   JL was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  

****John Seigenthaler, Sr. (1927-2014) was born in Nashville, TN.  He served in the USAF and began his career in journalism with the Nashville Tennessean.  In 1961, John served as RFK's assistant in the Justice Department and became publisher of the TENNESSEAN in 1973.

John Lewis and Jim Swerg

May 20, 1961

                 

50TH ANNIVERSARY IN SELMA

A BLOODY SUNDAY IN SELMA 50 YEARS AGO  

Selma, Alabama (JFK+50) Fifty years ago today, March 7, 1965, 600 marchers demonstrating for voting rights were brutally attacked with clubs and tear gas by state and local police here in Selma.

After crossing Edmund Pettus Bridge, the group, led by John Lewis of SNCC (Southern Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) and Rev. Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, were confronted by authorities.

17 marchers were injured and  hospitalized. Leaders of the march said that despite the attacks, more marches would follow.  Of the 15,000 blacks in Dallas County in 1961 only 130 were registered to vote. 

"Bloody Sunday" was one of the key events leading to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver a commemoration speech today at 12 o'clock and tomorrow Congressman Lewis and Rev. Williams will lead the commemoration march.  More than 100,000 people are expected to attend.

Today in Montgomery, Alabama, Patti LaBelle will give a concert titled "The Dream Marches On." 

SOURCE

"5 things to know about Bloody Sunday this weekend," by the editors of USA Today, March 7, 2015,  www.usatoday.com/

Bloody Sunday
Selma, Alabama (1965)

By Kevin Saff
at en.wikipedia

National Historic Marker

Selma to Montgomery
By Markuskun (2007)

FREEDOM RIDERS

FREEDOM RIDERS ATTACKED 53 YEARS AGO TODAY

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) A bus load of Freedom Riders came under attack here in Montgomery 53 years ago today, May 20, 1961.

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy had convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport this group of Freedom Riders to the Alabama state capital at Montgomery.

When they arrived at the bus terminal,however, 300 segregationists were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes.

Among the most seriously injured were Jim Swerg* and John Lewis.**

Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob.

From his hospital bed, Mr. Swerg said...

"Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery this way...

"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

*Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

            John Lewis and Jim Swerg
            After the Montgomery Attack
                           May 20, 1961

**John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.  

John was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  He is currently representing Georgia's 5th District in the United States Congress.

An administrative assistant to Attorney General Bob Kennedy, John Seigenthaler,*** who had been sent to Montgomery as chief negotiator for the Kennedy administration, was knocked unconscious while attempting to assist a young female freedom rider who was being chased by the angry mob.

President John F. Kennedy called upon Alabama Governor John Patterson to exercise his authority to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

                         John Seigenthaler
                     Nashville, Tennessee
          Photo by Curtis Palmer (2005)

***John Seigenthaler, Sr. was born in Nashville in 1927.  He served in the USAF and began his career in journalism with the Nashville Tennessean.  In 1961, John served as RFK's assistant in the Justice Department and became publisher of the TENNESSEAN in 1973.

JFK+50 NOTE

I had the pleasure of attending two of Mr. Seigenthaler's speeches, the first at the University of Tennessee in 2005 and the 2nd at the Nashville Public Library in 2008. 

It was also a pleasure to speak to John after both talks.  His talks were so riveting.  I thanked him for his service to President Kennedy and to the United States.  

                Greyhound Bus Terminal
                  Montgomery, Alabama
                  Photo by Drmies (2009)

FREEDOM RIDERS WELCOMED BY VIOLENCE IN ALABAMA 52 YEARS AGO

May 20, 2013

FREEDOM RIDERS WELCOMED BY VIOLENCE IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 52 YEARS AGO TODAY!

Montgomery, Alabama (JFK+50) A bus load of FREEDOM RIDERS came under attack here in Montgomery 52 years ago today, May 20, 1961.

Attorney General ROBERT KENNEDY had convinced Greyhound Bus Company officials to transport this group of Freedom Riders to the Alabama state capital at Montgomery.

When they arrived at the bus terminal,however, 300 SEGREGATIONISTS were waiting for them with clubs and metal pipes.

Among the most seriously injured were JIM SWERG* and JOHN LEWIS.**

Swerg's suitcase was taken from him and used to hit him in the face and knock him to the ground.  He was then beaten repeatedly by the mob.  From his hospital bed, he said...

"Segregation must be stopped.  It must be broken down.  Those of us in the Freedom Rides will continue."

John Lewis later described what he had experienced in Montgomery this way...

"It was very violent.  I thought I was going to die.  I was left lying at the bus station unconscious."

*Jim Swerg was born in 1939 in Appleton, Wisconsin.  He attended Beloit College and also was an exchange student at Fisk University in Nashville.  Jim joined SNCC in 1960.

**John Lewis was born to a family of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama in 1940.  He graduated from Alabama Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University.  

John was chairman of SNCC during the civil rights era and one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.  He is currently representing Georgia's 5th District in the United States Congress.

                John Lewis and Jim Swerg
            After the Montgomery Attack
                           May 20, 1961

An administrative assistant to Attorney General Bob Kennedy, JOHN SEIGENTHALER,***who had been sent to Montgomery as chief negotiator for the Kennedy administration, was knocked unconscious while attempting to assist a young female freedom rider who was being chased by the angry mob.


President John F. Kennedy called upon Alabama GOVERNOR JOHN PATTERSON to exercise his authority to prevent further outbreaks of violence.

***John Seigenthaler, Sr. was born in Nashville in 1927.  He served in the USAF and began his career in journalism with the NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN.  

In 1961, John served as RFK's assistant in the Justice Department and became publisher of the TENNESSEAN in 1973.

                       John Seigenthaler
                     Nashville, Tennessee
          Photo by Curtis Palmer (2005)

JFK+50 NOTE

I had the pleasure of attending two of Mr. Seigenthaler's speeches, the 1st at the University of Tennessee in 2005 and the 2nd at the Nashville Public Library in 2008.  It was also a pleasure to speak to John after both talks.  I thanked him for his service to President Kennedy and to the United States.  

                Greyhound Bus Terminal
                  Montgomery, Alabama
                  Photo by Drmies (2009)