By Candice Ludlow
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-955273.mp3
Memphis, TN – This is the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders. Half a century ago, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives simply by traveling together on buses and trains in an attempt to integrate the Deep South. Freedom riders were met with heavy and sometimes violent resistance, some were attacked and beaten and one of their buses was torched. Rip Patton was in one of the early waves of riders. He told Candice Ludlow he boarded a bus in Montgomery and rode to Jackson Mississippi where he was arrested.
Facing History and Ourselves is hosting a screening of Freedom Riders, an American Experience film, in the University Theater at Christian Brothers University, on Thursday, March 3rd from 7 to 9 p.m. Rip Patton will be on hand to take questions.