Two weeks before the 2026 midterm elections, a coalition of civil rights leaders, artists, faith leaders and original Freedom Riders retraces the 1961 Freedom Ride route — from Washington, D.C. through the Deep South to New Orleans, the city the original riders never reached.
The Congress of Racial Equality launched the Freedom Rides to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and at bus terminals. The original thirteen riders set out for New Orleans to test the federal government’s resolve to enforce desegregation law in the South. Their courage sparked a national movement as hundreds joined their mission to transform America.
Sixty-five years later, a coalition working for voting rights, racial justice and equity will retrace that route — to capture America’s imagination and to mobilize voters for the 2026 midterm election, through the South where that struggle continues to be most fiercely waged. The Ride is convened by Vote Common Good, Greater Things Foundation, Faith Out Loud, Americans United and Red Letter Christians. It is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) effort — read our nonpartisan statement.
Freedom Riders booked by the Jackson, Mississippi police department, May–July 1961. More than 300 riders were arrested that summer.
Original members of the 1961 Freedom Rides — and the children, nephews and grandchildren who carry their names — will meet the buses along the route.
Hank Thomas
Daughter Robbie rides
John Lewis
Nephew Jerrick rides
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland
Meets The Ride in D.C.
The Petway Family
Daughter Margaret rides
Charles Person
Daughter Keisha rides
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Richmond, VA
Petersburg, VA
Greensboro, NC
Rock Hill, SC
Augusta, GA
Anniston, AL
Nashville, TN
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
New Orleans, LA
The 1961 riders were stopped by violent resistance before they reached New Orleans. Completing that journey is the historic heart of this tour. Along the way: HBCU campuses, historic churches, and sites of hallowed civil rights ground.
Travel the route yourself, join the community events at every stop, and ride alongside partner delegations and the Art Bus team.
Leg One — 6 days
$1,000
Leg Two — 6 days
$1,000
Full journey — 12 days
$1,900
Send your own delegation. Partnership levels carry 2–10 seats on the buses, branding along the route, and a place in the documentary record.
Rider Partner
$10,000
Community Partner
$25,000
Movement & Executive
$50,000+
Fund the buses, the route, the community events and the film — without taking a seat that belongs to a delegation or a pilgrim rider.
Friend · Supporter
$2,500+
Sponsor a Freedom Rider
$6,000
Executive Sponsor
$50,000
The Ride travels as a growing caravan. Local artists, muralists, musicians and community organizations join at every stop, turning the tour into a rolling, multi-city cultural and civic event.
The Pilgrim Bus — “Let It Flow,” wrap by AP, 2026. Operated by Louisiana Motor Coach.
Partner-branded buses
Carrying organization delegations under their own name and branding.
The pilgrim bus
Open to individual riders and smaller groups joining without a full organizational sponsorship.
The Art Bus
A traveling team of artists making work at every stop — murals and installations that stay behind in the communities The Ride visits.
Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, Black-owned businesses contributed significantly to the cause of justice — providing financial resources, meeting space and logistical support to the movement. Across the route, The Ride will highlight and support Black-owned businesses in the communities it visits.
In select cities, evening programming is hosted in partnership with Faith Out Loud, led by Rev. Traci Blackmon, bringing its network of Black churches, congregations and movement organizations into the tour’s community events.
A feature documentary directed by Sura Mallouh, blending verité tour footage, 1961 archival material and sit-down interviews — Knock Down the House by way of Summer of Soul, with the American interstate as the backdrop of change.
Tell us which leg interests you and we’ll follow up with everything you need.
