Thursday, September 29, 2011

ALL ABOARD--FREEDOM RIDE TO HOUSTON FROM L.A.

STORIES OF THE LOS ANGELES TO HOUSTON FREEDOM RIDE

On August 9, 1961, a group of Los Angeles students boarded a train headed to Houston, Texas. The group's assignment was to aid members of the Houston Progressive Youth Association (PYA) to non-violently, desegregate Houston's Union Station Coffee Shop. The group would then proceed to Jackson, Mississippi to join the scores of other Freedom Riders converging on the city to protest racially segregated public travel facilities throughout the American South.

Instead, these California Freedom Riders were arrested for unlawful assembly while trying to desegregate Houston's Union Station Coffee Shop.The story of their Freedom Ride, arrest, brutal treatment in jail and subsequent court trial is an important chapeter in the unique civil rights history of Texas and thee national struggle for racial equality in the United States. 

Get on Board recounts the ascendance and determination of this movement. More than 100 compelling photographs are featured within an exhibit that utilizes evocative oral histories, music, rare historical artifacts and documents. There is also a recreated section of the Birmingham, Alabama bus terminal, a Parchman Farm prison cell and a section of the lunch counter of the Houston Union Station Coffee Shop. Experience dynamic history.

The Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum
Get On Board Exhibition
Through October 16, 2011
4130 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
Tuesday -- Saturday 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Sundays 12 Noon -- 4:00 PM
(310) 202-1647

No comments:

Post a Comment