“Freedom Riders” memorial
unveiled on the original
Greyhound Bus Terminal
(Editorial Note)
In front of the old Greyhound
Bus terminal in Montgomery,
Ala., a memorial plaque stands
with the seal of the Alabama
Historical Commission at the
top. The plaque reads: Civil
Rights Freedom Riders, May 20,
1961; followed by the narrative;
On May 20, 1961, a group of
black and white SNCC members
led by John Lewis left
Birmingham bound for
Montgomery on a Greyhound
bus.
They were determined to
continue the ‘Freedom Ride’
from Washington, D.C. to New
Orleans that has met with violence
in Birmingham. Their purpose
was to test a court case.
‘Boynton vs. Virginia,’declaring
segregation in bus terminals
unconstitutional.
Upon arriving in
Montgomery, their police escort
disappeared, and an angry mob
of over 200 Klan supporters
attacked and injured them at the
Greyhound terminal. Attorney
General Robert F. Kennedy was
so enraged that he sent in 450
U.S. Marshals and thus became
active in the movement.
[Erected 1995 by Greyhound
and Kenneth Mullinax, Jr.]
by Sandra Brown
In May, 1961, a group of
TSU students, other college students,
and people of varied
backgrounds challenged the
nation's court case, ‘Boynton vs.
Virginia,’ declaring segregation
in bus terminals unconstitutional
especially to the Negroes of
that time period. These brave,
heroic, bold and courageous students/
individuals became
known as ‘Freedom Riders.’
Leo ‘Kwame’ Lillard and
Matthew Walker remembered
going through a process of signing
their last will and testament:
“Just before leaving for the
trip to Montgomery, Ala. via
Birmingham, not knowing if we
were coming back or what we
would encounter.”
What they encountered in
May, 1961, upon arrival at the
Greyhound bus terminal in
Montgomery was an angry mob
of 200 Klan supporters.
“Because the police escorts
had disappeared, we were left to
fend for themselves,” said
Walker.
Now, 47 years later,
Montgomery, Ala. has gone a
step further. The terminal, itself,
has been dedicated to the
Freedom Riders.
“It seems that the city of
Montgomery has righted a
wrong,” said Lillard. “It is amazing
that the original Greyhound
bus terminal has pictures, names
and information about the
Freedom Riders on front panels
across the whole bus terminal.”
It was a moving sight to see
how all of the Freedom Riders
helped unveiled the panels. The
dedication was very special. It
began with music by Robert
Daniel II who sang ‘I Want Jesus
to Walk with Me’ and ‘This
Little Light of Mine.’ Then Joy
Leonard (a Freedom Rider)
sang, with Daniel singing the
last song.
James Adams of the Alabama
Historical Commission, the master
of ceremonies, introduced the
Mayor of Montgomery Mayor
Bright. His speech centered on
the courage “that changed
Montgomery, Ala. and the
world. We welcome the
Freedom Riders back to
Montgomery with honor and
dignity.”
Judge Myron Thompson, an
African American, was instrumental
in saving the bus terminal
from destruction. Judge
Thompson saw a way to expand
the courthouse. The terminal
sets between two courthouses--
one old and the other new. In his
comments, he gave a very
graphic account of what happened
to the Freedom Riders.
“The Black female Freedom
Riders were ‘women walking
behind with buckets’ in this fight
against injustice,” he said.
“Equality and justice are two
qualities of a Freedom Rider.”
There were approximately
150 people who attended the
ceremony/dedication of the
Greyhound bus terminal. Percy
Thomas of General Contractors,
a Black firm, restored the bus
terminal. It was completed within
a year.
“We’re very proud of the
work,” Thomas said, “and even
more proud of the event and
what it represented.”
Attorney Bruce Boynton was
present and on program. He initiated
the ‘Boynton vs. Virginia’
court case and won. He also represented
Rosa Park and won.
When he was denied service in a
bus terminal in Virginia, the case
began. Boynton said of the ceremony:
“It was long overdue.”
Emily Blejwas, of Auburn
University, is in the process of
developing a Civil Rights
Heritage Tour, which has central
listings of all Black historical
sites including lodging and
restaurants. As a White female,
she said she was shocked that
the bus terminal had a ‘Colored’
door.
“I’m amazed to see the
Freedom Riders still alive,” she
said.
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Conservative state budget
balanced with no new taxes
– education protected
Gov. Phil Bredesen commended
members of the 105th
Tennessee General Assembly as
they concluded their business
and adjourned sine die. With
approval of the revised 2008-09
budget proposed on May 12, a
bipartisan group of legislators
joined Bredesen in preserving
the state’s fiscal stability,
demonstrating the state can
manage even in tough times
without raising taxes or tapping
its Rainy Day reserves.
“Facing tough decisions and
a worsening national economy,
we have taken the steps necessary
to protect public education
and balance the budget with no
new taxes,” said Bredesen. “Last
year we proved we could maintain
discipline in good times.
This year, we demonstrated once
again we can do what it takes to
manage equally well in tough
times. Despite these challenges,
I commend the General
Assembly for its accomplishments
in areas that will continue
to move our state forward and
improve the lives of
Tennesseans.”
Bredesen specifically praised
key accomplishments in health
care and education and emphasized
the advantages of a voluntary
buyout program in reducing
the size of the state’s workforce.
Long Term Care –
Providing new options for
home and community-based services
that will allow a greater
number of people to stay at
home for long-term care needs
with passage of the ‘Long Term
Care Community Choices Act of
2008.’
Education –
Full funding of the Basic
Education Plan (BEP), including
$59 million in new dollars for
inflationary growth and continued
funding of 934 existing pre-
K classrooms.
Adjusting the required GPA
from 3.0 to 2.75 so more HOPE
scholarship recipients can retain
their scholarships and complete
college.
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for the Pride today.
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for more information.
Meharry President honors
Marian Wright Edelman
with honorary doctorate
Dr. Wayne Riley (l), president of Meharry Medical College,
presents Marian Wright Edelman (r), with an Honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her
pioneering work and commitment to education. The presentation
was made during Meharry’s 133rd Commencement in
Nashville, TN.
by Robert H. Elliott
You knew it was coming–gas
thefts. As gas has crossed the $3
a gallon barrier, the theft of gas
by vehicles driving-off from gas
pumps, stealing gas by siphoning
from parked trucks and trying
to pump gas from un-locked
under-ground storage tanks has
increased to levels not seen
since 1975.
The most common way that
kids used to do it, siphoning
from mom and dad’s car, doesn’t
work as well because of a
recently installed roll-over safety
device (check balls) that prevent
fuel from spilling out and
conversely keep the siphon hose
from reaching the gas in the
tank.
To by-pass that obstacle,
thieves are now drilling into the
gas tank and draining the fuel
out. Of course there is the
chance that the thief will
become a walking torch if the
drill causes a spark and an
explosion but some people only
value their lives to the amount of
$30 or $40. When contacted
with a story about this new kind
of theft by an Assistant P.D.
Chaplain, the Metropolitan
Nashville Chief’s office seemed
‘grateful’ for having this brought
to their attention.
This type of suicidal tank
puncturing had not as yet
reached the radar screens of law
enforcement organizations such
as the National Sheriffs'
Association, or the Automotive
Service Association--a group
that represents independent
garage operators. But it has been
reported in Detroit and Denver.
This will be a lemming-like idea
that could catch on until more
people catch on fire. Truck and
car rental businesses are being
targeted due to the number of
vehicles in one location. And
because their tanks are higher
off the ground, pick-ups and
SUVs are the choice for this
type of theft.
Gas and diesel aren't the only
fuels being plundered.
Restaurants from Berkeley,
Calif., to Sedgwick, Kan., are
reporting thefts of old cooking
oil worth thousands of dollars.
Cooking oil thieves refine it into
biofuel in backyard stills.
Biodiesel can also be blended
with petroleum diesel and
blends of the alternative fuel are
now sold at 1,400 gas stations
across the country. Prior to 2000,
this cooking oil was a waste
product that restaurant owners
would pay to have hauled away.
Now it is an addition to the bottom
line after hamburger and
French Fry sales.
Hermitage Flex officers recently conducted a truancy
sweep of McGavock High School.
Officers charged 15 McGavock students with loitering
during school hours for attempting to leave the campus
while school was in session.
During the truancy initiative, an officer in one
unmarked vehicle watched for students who appeared
to be skipping school. Uniformed officers then made
investigative stops of those who appeared to be in violation.
The truancy operation is the latest in an on-going
effort between the police department, Juvenile Court,
and school officials to see that students are in school
and remain there until dismissal.
Joshua W. Packwood (l) and Shannon K. Joyner sit with their
graduating class ‘brothers’ during the 124th Commencement
Service at Morehouse College, on May 18. At the 8 am service,
presided over by Morehouse's tenth president, Dr. Robert
Franklin ('75), Packwood stood out in the crowd as Morehouse's
first White Valedictorian. Joyner, son of former Fulton County
Commissioner Gordon Joyner, was recognized and honored as
Morehouse's Salutatorian. This year’s commencement speaker
was Dr. Emmett D. Carson, a 1981 Morehouse graduate.
More than 15,000 family and friends attended the commencement
service. As the 500-plus graduates received various
degrees in business administration, English, sociology and other
fields, cool weather permeated the southwest Atlanta campus
(Editorial Note)
Now, 47 years later,
Montgomery, Ala. has gone a
step further. The terminal, itself,
has been dedicated to the
Freedom Riders.
Gov. Phil Bredesen commended
members of the 105th
Tennessee General Assembly as
they concluded their business
and adjourned sine die. With
approval of the revised 2008-09
budget proposed on May 12, a
bipartisan group of legislators
joined Bredesen in preserving
the state’s fiscal stability,
demonstrating the state can
manage even in tough times
without raising taxes or tapping
its Rainy Day reserves.
Dr. Wayne Riley (l), president of Meharry Medical College,
presents Marian Wright Edelman (r), with an Honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her
pioneering work and commitment to education. The presentation
was made during Meharry’s 133rd Commencement in
Nashville, TN.
by Robert H. Elliott
Joshua W. Packwood (l) and Shannon K. Joyner sit with their
graduating class ‘brothers’ during the 124th Commencement
Service at Morehouse College, on May 18. At the 8 am service,
presided over by Morehouse's tenth president, Dr. Robert
Franklin ('75), Packwood stood out in the crowd as Morehouse's
first White Valedictorian. Joyner, son of former Fulton County
Commissioner Gordon Joyner, was recognized and honored as
Morehouse's Salutatorian. This year’s commencement speaker
was Dr. Emmett D. Carson, a 1981 Morehouse graduate.