What was the primary role of the Freedom Riders in 1961?

• A. To organize voter registration drives
• B. To challenge segregation in interstate bus terminals
• C. To provide legal assistance to civil rights activists
• D. To promote African American business ownership

Answer: (B)

The primary role of the Freedom Riders in 1961 was to challenge segregation in interstate bus terminals. This group of civil rights activists, both black and white, embarked on bus journeys across the southern United States to test the Supreme Court's decision in Boynton v. Virginia, which ruled that segregation in interstate transportation was unconstitutional.

By traveling together on buses and integrating waiting rooms and restrooms at terminals, the Freedom Riders aimed to highlight the blatant racism and segregation still prevalent in the South. Their actions brought national attention to the civil rights movement and spurred governmental responses to enforce desegregation laws. The courageous and sometimes violent reactions they faced underscored the urgent need for change and mobilized more citizens to join the fight against racial injustice.