The Freedom Rides were a series of bus rides and other forms of transportation undertaken by civil rights activists in 1961 to challenge segregation in the South of the United States. The rides were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

The activists, both Black and white, rode together on interstate buses through Southern states that enforced segregation laws, such as separate waiting rooms, bathrooms, and seating areas for Black and white passengers. The Freedom Riders faced violent opposition from white supremacists, including mob attacks, beatings, arrests, and bombings of buses.

Despite the dangers they faced, the Freedom Riders continued their rides to protest segregation and to test the enforcement of the Supreme Court's ruling in Boynton v. Virginia, which declared segregation in interstate bus and rail stations unconstitutional. Their efforts brought national attention to the issue of segregation and helped to strengthen the civil rights movement.

Ultimately, the Freedom Rides played a significant role in the desegregation of transportation facilities and inspired additional nonviolent protests in the struggle for civil rights. Their bravery and determination paved the way for further victories in the fight against racial discrimination in the United States.