What were the Freedom Rides aimed to achieve?

The Freedom Rides were primarily aimed at challenging and dismantling the segregationist practices in the southern United States, specifically focusing on the integration of interstate bus travel and facilities. The rides involved racially integrated groups traveling on buses to test compliance with desegregation laws established by the Supreme Court. The goal was to draw national attention to the civil rights movement and the harsh realities of segregation experienced by African Americans in the South.

While registering African Americans to vote was a significant aspect of the broader civil rights movement, the Freedom Rides specifically targeted public transportation and the enforcement of existing laws against racial segregation. They aimed to create direct action that would force the federal government to ensure rights for African Americans and highlight injustices, making them a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggle.