The Freedom Rides were a series of nonviolent protests against segregated interstate bus travel that took place in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement. In May 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) organized the first Freedom Ride, in which interracial groups of activists rode buses through the South to challenge segregation laws.

The Freedom Riders faced violent opposition from white supremacists and were often attacked by mobs, arrested, and imprisoned. Despite the dangers, the Freedom Riders continued their protests, drawing attention to the injustices of segregation and putting pressure on the federal government to enforce desegregation laws.

The Freedom Rides were a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, bringing greater awareness to the plight of African Americans in the South and contributing to the eventual desegregation of interstate bus travel. The courage and determination of the Freedom Riders inspired many others to join the fight for civil rights and helped to bring about significant social change in the United States.