Freedom Riders National Monument Dedicated (photos and video)

Anniston Alabama Freedom Rider supporters

Yesterday, Bham Now was on hand at the dedication of the Freedom Riders National Monument in Downtown Anniston.

The dedication ceremony took place on the eve of the 56th anniversary of the Anniston Bus Burning that occurred on Mother’s Day May 14th, 1961.

Below are photos from the event and a stirring and emotional video of the remarks given by Hank Thomas, the last living freedom rider who survived the bus burning.

The Freedom Riders National Monument was designated in January by President Barrack Obama.  On that same day, the president also created the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

To learn more about this very important day in U.S. history and the establishment of Freedom Riders National Monument visit: http://www.freedomriderspark.org and the National Park Service  https://www.nps.gov/frri/index.htm

Freedom Riders National Monument Video and Photos

You Tube video by Chris Wright of the remarks made by Freedom Rider Hank Thomas at the Freedom Riders National Monument Dedication.

Freedom Riders Alabama
Freedom Riders National Monument dedication, May 13, 2017 – photo by Pat Byington
Freedom Riders National Monument
Unveiling of the Freedom Riders National Park sign – photo by Pat Byington
Freedom Riders National Monument
Crowd at the Freedom Riders National Monument dedication – photo by Pat Byington
Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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