The freedoms that we take for granted today across the spectrum of American society were not easily achieved. They were hard won—through struggle, self-sacrifice and even death.

The Civil Rights Movement is a case in point. The gains that this movement afforded African-Americans were won through blood, sweat, tears and yes death. One of the seminal events in this movement were the Freedom Rides, and the violent reactions they provoked.

"Freedom Riders," the June film screening from The National Black Programming Consortium tells the story of these rides in a clear and captivating manner. From the NBPC site you find the following description:

"In 1961, during the first year of John F. Kennedy's presidency, more than four hundred Americans—self-proclaimed "Freedom Riders"—sat where they pleased on buses and trains and demanded unrestricted access to termianl restaurants and waiting rooms, even in areas of the Deep South where such behavior was forbidden by law."

Join us on June 8, 2011 at 5:30pm for this riveting look back at our history as a nation. Also note that May 4, 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the first Freedom Ride.

See you there.

Explore Further:

• Browse the library's catalog to learn more about the Freedom Riders. Take a look at the following titles: Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle Racial Justice, Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement, Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders
• Browse the library's catalog to explore the broader topic of the Civil Rights Movement. Here are three titles to consider: The Civil Rights Movement,  Living Through the Civil Rights Movement, The Civil Rights Movement in American Memory.
• Learn more about The National Black Programming Consortium. Visit blackpublicmedia.org and browse their site to see what they're all about.