Freedom Riders bus tour visits Atlanta amid early voting for midterms

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A bus tour marking the 65th anniversary of the original 1961 Freedom Riders will make a stop in Atlanta on Friday.

The bus is expected to pause for a news conference at Flipper Temple AME Church. Among the speakers are three original Freedom Riders.

The bus is retracing the Freedom Riders’ intended journey from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans. On May 13, 1961, the riders stopped in Atlanta. They had dinner with Martin Luther King. Jr, who warned them of the danger ahead.

The next day, the buses would be stopped by mob violence in Anniston and Birmingham. Several of the riders flew to New Orleans to complete the journey.

The bus tour stop comes as early voting continues in Georgia. The midterms contain several key races, including those for governor and Senate.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.