Students reenact 1960s Freedom Rides on bus

Despite icy winds and below freezing temperatures, nearly 30 students gathered outside of Ashton Center bundled up in heavy coats and wool mittens and hats to travel around campus by bus, commemorating the Freedom Riders of the 1960s.\nIU students from groups including CommUNITY Educators, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender OUT, the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, Chi Phi fraternity and Central Black Student Union gathered Thursday evening in honor of the Civil Rights Freedom Riders.\nThe students traveled across the West side of Bloomington's campus on a typical IU bus, getting an opportunity to see and learn more about Bloomington's role in the Civil Rights period. Nancy Heistand, historic preservation officer of Bloomington, discussed how homes in Bloomington were once part of the Underground Railroad. \nIn the spring of 1961, the Freedom Riders traveled from many university and college campuses across the country, and met in Washington D.C. There, they boarded two buses and began a protest journey for racial inequality and segregation laws into the South. \nSophomore Kelli Gaston of the CBSU said this is the second year IU students have gathered together in honor of Martin Luther King week. \n"Many people do not know about the Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights Movement," Gaston said. "It is important to show IU where our country has been in the past. It has been a long road for many people, and tonight we are trying to reenact this path the Freedom Riders traveled."\nIn the early 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement did not only affect blacks, but many different groups and races, Gaston said. She said the purpose of the rides were promoting equality.\n"The Freedom Riders of the 1960s were looking for a path to freedom and a path to a better life," Gaston said. "This is a huge issue in our discussion. Martin Luther King's dream has been realized on this campus for more than just black students."\nA discussion followed the bus tour where the students addressed the controversial issues of current Civil Rights intolerance as they relate to different communities on campus. Ashton's Community Leader, Erick Watt-Udogu said the purpose of the discussion was to have students better understand contemporary civil rights intolerance.\nTina Clark, Wilkie CommUNITY Educator, has participated in the Freedom Rider's events during Martin Luther King week each of the past two years. She said the group gathered to celebrate the Freedom Riders role on the bus and the Civil Rights Movement.\n"I want everyone to learn one new thing this evening and have a good time," Clark said. "Most importantly, I want everyone to think about what they can do from here to keep the dream alive, and to keep working to make the world a better place for everyone." \n-- Contact staff writer Kristin Huett at khuett@indiana.edu.