A “Freedom Riders” bus sets off from Washington, D.C. bound for New Orleans on Oct. 17, 2026. (7News)
Roughly 65 years ago, a group known as the “Freedom Riders” boarded buses in D.C. to New Orleans to challenge segregation, and on Saturday their decedents begun a similar route, this time to encourage voting.
A coalition of civil rights and religious leaders, alongside descendants of that initial group set off on a two-week, eight-state journey to trace the 1961 route to New Orleans.
Saturday’s kickoff at the Metropolitan AME Church in Northwest included a worship service and brunch.
Pastor Doug Pagitt, who is executive director for Vote Common Good and Greater Things, was one of the organizers.
“The challenge that they put forth in 1961 led to the Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965,” Paggitt said. “And we are now feeling the same need to raise the awareness. About the importance of voting, access to the voting booth, and to continue the legacy.”