CORE and Sit-ins

• CORE was established in Chicago.
• Sit-ins at segregated lunch counters involved CORE members refusing to leave if denied service.
• Tactic popularized in the early 1960s.
• Forced businesses to choose between serving protesters or risking disruption.
• Led to violence from white customers and police arrests.
• Massive student involvement with SCLC support.
• MLK described arrest as a "badge of honor."
• Initiated unstoppable change process.

Freedom Rides

• Boynton v. Virginia (1960) expanded segregation laws to include interstate buses.
• Resulted in desegregation of bus station waiting rooms and restaurants for interstate travelers.
• In 1961, CORE and SNCC organized Freedom Rides to test compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.

Violence Against Freedom Riders

• First Freedom Ride departed Washington, D.C. in May 1961 with both black and white volunteers.
• Initial journey faced minor conflicts; escalated danger in deep South.
• In Anniston, Alabama, a violent mob attacked the first bus, slashing tires and throwing a firebomb.
• Local police were complicit with the mob during the assault.
• Many riders were beaten as they escaped from the burning bus, anticipated the confrontation to provoke change.