More than 500 community leaders, youth and residents were in attendace to celebrate and honor the 50th anniversary of The Freedom Riders on Nov. 5, at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. Jesse Johnson, founder and president emeritus of the 100 Black Men of Long Beach, Inc. and event chair, served as master of ceremonies, and special recognitions were presented by Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal and Congresswoman Laura Richardson. Numerous other recognitions from other public officials were also presented to the Freedom Riders.
The Emmy Award-winning documentary Freedom Riders was shown, and the event included youth essay recitals. The essay contest winners were Nia Castelberry, Shanell Jones, Sherese Onwu and Michael Simpson. The panel discussion included: Freedom Rider James Dennis (California State University Northridge, professor emeritus— now residing in the Houston, Texas area); Freedom Rider Robert Farrell (former Los Angeles councilmember); Freedom Rider John Maguire (former Claremont Graduate School president and Civil Rights lecturer); Janie Forsyth McKinney (Freedom Rider Movement supporter); and Freedom Rider Peggy Preacely (lecturer and recently retired program coordinator for the Long Beach Health Department).
To commemorate the 50th anniversary, prior to the formal program, local youth presented a reenactment of the 1961 Freedom Rides, which included a protest walk and bus ride to the event at St. Mary. More than 120 youth from around Long Beach participated, including Andy Street Youth Ambassadors and Martin Luther King Park area youth. Former Congresswoman Diane Watson and Freedom Rider Robert Farrell participated in the Civil Rights reenactments. Renowned opera singer Brenda Jackson sang a special tribute song to the Freedom Riders and young Freedom Riders reenactment participants
The event was free to the public thanks to the sponsors, partners and contributors. Major sponsors included Building Healthy Communities, Long Beach Transit, St. Mary Medical Center Foundation and The California Endowment.
The Freedom Rides began on May 4, 1961 in Washington, DC. More than 400 Civil Rights activists from across the nation rode interstate buses together through the Deep South to protest Jim Crow laws. They risked their personal safety and endured imprisonment and violence as they tried to set a powerful example for the rest of the nation.
