Who were the Freedom Riders?

• A. A group protesting against women's rights
• B. Civil rights workers protesting illegal bus segregation
• C. Students advocating for free education
• D. A movement focused on economic power

Answer: (B)

The Freedom Riders were indeed civil rights activists who organized to challenge and protest against the illegal segregation of bus systems in the United States, particularly in the South. In the early 1960s, they aimed to highlight the blatant disregard for federal laws that prohibited racial discrimination in interstate travel. By riding buses into segregated Southern states, they sought to integrate bus terminals and terminal facilities, often facing violent opposition. This initiative was crucial in drawing national attention to the civil rights movement and highlighting the need for further legislation to protect the rights of African Americans.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core mission of the Freedom Riders. While women's rights, education advocacy, and economic power movements were significant social issues, they were not the focus of the Freedom Riders' actions. Their specific involvement in civil rights litigation against discriminatory practices in public transport marked a pivotal moment in the broader struggle for racial equality in America.