In 1961, Hank Thomas barely escaped death attempting to integrate interstate travel accommodations. The struggle galvanized civil rights activists across the South.

The Freedom Ride movement almost ended in Alabama on May 14, 1961, when Hank Thomas and six other Riders nearly died on a bus that white supremacists set on fire in rural Alabama, where the Ku Klux Klan reigned.

Podcast transcript available here

Hank Thomas shares the story of how the Riders' journey descended into hours of vicious violence in Alabama.

After Hank and his fellow Freedom Riders were viciously attacked, new Riders poured into the South for months, risking everything to force the country to face the hateful actions upholding unlawful, racist practices.

The “Seven Days of 1961” podcast features stories of resistance, told by the people who lived it. Learn more about the heroic civil rights activists and the danger they faced at 7daysof1961.usatoday.com.

In 1961, Hank Thomas barely escaped death attempting to integrate interstate travel accommodations. The struggle galvanized civil rights activists across the South.
The Freedom Ride movement almost ended in Alabama on May 14, 1961, when Hank Thomas and six other Riders nearly died on a bus that white supremacists set on fire in rural Alabama, where the Ku Klux Klan reigned.
Podcast transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/11/16/freedom-riders-sought-progress-kkk-nearly-killed-them/8585324002/">available here</a>
Hank Thomas shares the story of how the Riders' journey descended into hours of vicious violence in Alabama.
After Hank and his fellow Freedom Riders were viciously attacked, new Riders poured into the South for months, risking everything to force the country to face the hateful actions upholding unlawful, racist practices.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/19/hear-activists-who-changed-history-seven-days-1961-podcast/8511587002/">&ldquo;Seven&nbsp;Days of 1961&rdquo;&nbsp;</a>podcast features stories of resistance, told by the people who lived it. Learn more about the heroic civil rights activists and the danger they faced at <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/09/21/civil-rights-how-anti-racism-protesters-forced-change-1961/8373401002/">7daysof1961.usatoday.com</a>.

Hear history from the people who made it on the Seven Days of 1961 podcast. Activists share what happened when they challenged white supremacy, facing violence and arrest.

Hear history from the people who made it on the Seven Days of 1961 podcast. Activists share what happened when they challenged white supremacy, facing violence and arrest.

Hear history from the people who made it.

Seven Days of 1961

Firsthand narratives from activists whose courageous actions 60 years ago sparked pivotal civil rights battles against school and business segregation, police brutality and voting exclusion. Many of them were high school or college students risking their lives and futures. On the “Seven Days of 1961” podcast, you’ll hear history from the activists who made it. Read more in-depth stories about these protests at sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com. 

Firsthand narratives from activists whose courageous actions 60 years ago sparked pivotal civil rights battles against school and business segregation, police brutality and voting exclusion. Many of them were high school or college students risking their lives and futures. On the &ldquo;Seven Days of 1961&rdquo; podcast, you&rsquo;ll hear history from the activists who made it. Read more in-depth stories about these protests at <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/09/21/civil-rights-how-anti-racism-protesters-forced-change-1961/8373401002/">sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;

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