Freedom Riders return to Atlanta 65 years later

We have a story I think a lot of people might be interested in as we are now approaching Election Day. It's now been 65 years after the Freedom Rides, and some people who helped make history are returning to Atlanta. They're here today, and our Chris Rosenthal joins us now live with the details. Chris, what can you tell us about this stop? Yeah, absolutely. You know, 65 years ago, those Freedom Rides happened. About 436 people participated in total. But that first ride of 13 people, individuals, leaving Washington, D.C., heading to New Orleans, heading south to try and challenge the segregation laws on buses and local bus stations here in the south. And today they are recreating that Freedom Ride, traveling from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans. This group is traveling the whole way through and making their stops here today in Atlanta. Some of the buses here behind me, they actually headed off the main group over to Morehouse College. That's where they'll be for the rest of this afternoon. But this morning had an event and a press conference here at Flipper Temple and Church. And a really, really interesting event. They had some of the original Freedom Riders there, including Hank Thomas. He was one of the original 13 Freedom Riders, the only one still living. He came by and got a hero's welcome here from the folks. But I also spoke today with Michael W. Waters. He's one of the main organizers of this event and this tour. and talk with him a little bit more about this and why this is so important here. Let's take a listen. This is the 65th anniversary of the Freedom Rides, and we thought that this would be a great opportunity to revisit that historic moment in helping to drive people to the polls. We're so excited that some of the original Freedom Riders from 1961, as well as their descendants, have joined us in this effort because we know that democracy is strengthened when all people participate. It's a long time ago, and I think it's important that we remember. Why is it important to have this? Well, democracy has been hard won. There have been individuals who have been willing to perfect our union through their blood, sweat, and tears. Individuals who suffered beatings and arrests in order to move this nation forward. So it's important to remember and to honor those who come before us, but also to recognize that we, too, have a part to play in making this nation a better place. When you go from stop to stop, how is this received? What's it like when you guys pull into town? The amazing thing about the reception as we've gone along the route of the original Freedom Rides is that they have been received in a way that they were not received in 1961. In 1961, they were received with great hostility and harm. Today, they've been received with great warmth and great hope. And so we're excited that those who paid such a great cost in 1961 one are able now to receive the love and care and concern that they should have received 65 years ago of course atlanta is a significant stop here of course uh with all of our civil rights history the original ride uh riders meeting with the dr martin luther king here and he was warning of the dangers uh ahead uh for their uh ride the original one never actually made it to uh new orleans but this ride it continues on again they'll be in Morehouse this afternoon and next stop is Anniston Alabama so back to you yep we are going to be checking in with you throughout the afternoon Chris Rosenthal thanks so much for telling us about this and glad that you're able to spotlight what they're doing Chris Rosenthal thanks so much