65th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders
As the City of Anniston, we invite the community to join Freedom Riders National Monument, the City of Anniston, and community partners on Saturday, May 9, 2026, for a day of remembrance, reflection, and education honoring the 65th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders in Anniston, Alabama.
This commemorative event will include multiple programs throughout the day:
Historic Greyhound Bus Depot & Mural Tours
📍 Historic Greyhound Bus Depot — 1031 Gurnee Ave, Anniston
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Park rangers will provide tours and historical interpretation at the depot. Guided walks to the Trailways Mural near 9th Street and Noble Street will begin at 10:00 AM.
Bus Burning Site Program
📍 AL Hwy 202 & Old Birmingham Hwy
🕛 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
A formal program will reflect on the events of Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, and include information on future site plans, remarks from the National Park Service Superintendent and local/state leaders, a performance by We Shall Someday, and a commemorative bell ringing honoring the Freedom Riders.
Evening Community Program at Zinn Park
📍 Zinn Park — 101 W. 14th Street, Anniston
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The evening program will include music, remarks, vendors, food trucks, remarks from Jay Wozniak of Trust for Public Land and Freedom Riders Park Board representatives, and a performance by We Shall Someday.
Street Closure Notice — Saturday, May 9, 2026
Gurnee Avenue will be closed from 10th Street to 11th Street from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM CT. Streets around Zinn Park will be closed from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please plan ahead and use caution when traveling in these areas.
Freedom Riders National Monument was established to preserve and commemorate the Freedom Riders, an interracial group who challenged segregated interstate travel in 1961. In Anniston, the riders were attacked and their bus was firebombed just outside the city.
For updates and additional information, please visit nps.gov/frri or scan the QR code on the flyer.
For questions and event information, please contact the local National Park Service team at kevin_chandler@nps.gov