Freedom Riders National Monument

The Freedom Riders National Monument is a civil rights memorial in Anniston, Alabama, comprising two main locations: a former Greyhound bus station downtown and the site where a bus was attacked in 1961. Both places are connected by their central role in the pivotal events of the American civil rights movement.

The monument was established in 2017 when President Barack Obama designated these sites to preserve the events of May 1961. During that time, civil rights activists traveled south to challenge segregation in interstate bus travel.

The monument documents how integrated groups of black and white activists traveled together to challenge racial segregation in transportation. Today, visitors can stand at these locations and grasp the personal courage it took to face violent opposition for equality.

The visit requires minimal preparation, as both sites are within walking distance and feature informational panels on location. The visitor center at Anniston City Hall offers additional materials and guidance for those wanting more context.

A wall adjacent to the former bus station features murals and panels depicting the attacks of May 1961. These visual representations help visitors understand the intensity of the violence that occurred there.