65th Anniversary Commemorative Event

Welcome!

Freedom Riders National Monument is excited to plan a commemorative event for the 65^th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. Join us in Anniston, Alabama, on Saturday May 9, 2026, for the events listed below. Thank you to everyone helping to make this possible. Special thanks to the City of Anniston and We Shall Someday who helped make this event possible. We hope to see you at this event.

Please note, many details and speakers are being finalized. Please check back for more information.

Date: Saturday May 9, 2026

 

Mug Shot of Dave Dennis in Jackson, Mississippi jail. Dennis was one of over 300 Freedom Riders arrested in Jackson, Mississippi.

Photo from veritenews.org

10 AM – 12 PM: Greyhound Bus Depot

(1031 Gurnee Ave, Anniston, AL 36201)

The morning will include short speeches including Freedom Riders Joan Trumpauer-Mulholland and Dave Dennis. National Park Service park rangers will be at the Greyhound Bus Depot to talk about the Freedom Riders. Rangers will also guide visitors from the Greyhound Bus Depot to the Trailways Bus Mural (about three blocks away) and back on guided tours.

If you are joining park rangers on a guided walk, please come prepared for the weather including sun protection and bring water.

 

Photo of State Representative Dr. Barbara Boyd.

Photo from aldailynews.com

1:30 PM – 4 PM Bus Burning Site

(Corner of Highway 202 and Old Birmingham Highway outside Anniston, AL)

Join the National Park Service for a commemorative event. Speakers will include Superintendent Herts, Dr. Barbara Boyd, Keisha Person (Charles Person's daughter), Jerrick Lewis (John Lewis's nephew), Robbie Thomas (Dr. Henry "Hank" Thomas's daughter), and more.

The speeches will be followed by a song from the We Shall Someday group from their performance touring through several cities along the Freedom Rider's route.

A bell ringing ceremony for the CORE riders will follow the song.

 

Mug shot for Bob Zellner for his arrest in Baton Rouge Louisiana for his time as a Freedom Rider.

From the Encyclopedia of Alabama

5 PM – 8 PM Zinn Park (Anniston, AL)

This is a community led event. Speakers include Jay Wozniak (Trust for Public Land), Georgia Calhoun and Teresia Hall (Freedom Riders Training Academy Board), Freedom Riders Dr. Lenora Taitt-Magubane and Bob Zellner, and more.

The speeches will be followed by two songs from the We Shall Someday group from their performance touring through several cities along the Freedom Rider's route.

These songs will be followed by a set by DJ Cadillac. Visitors will also have time to interact with park rangers and Freedom Riders.

 

The We Shall Someday Project is an ally for this event. This project is brining performances of We Shall Someday into cities along the 1961 Freedom Rides route to uplift the historical significance of the Freedom Rides and support the ongoing efforts of hyperlocal leaders carrying out their legacy today.

We Shall Someday is an original musical following three generations of a southern Black family, as they each encounter and confront acts of racial injustice. Offering an exploration of our past to propel us forward with conviction and hope, We Shall Someday examines how we continue the fight for freedom and justice.

Explore their website to find out more or catch a performance along the Freedom Riders' route.