You are one of the 13 riders in the first group. Your journey begins May 4 in Washington, D.C. The bus makes stops in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. There’s some shouting and a scuffle or two, but luckily no large-scale violence.
At most of the stops, the riders all get off the bus. The whites go to the colored restrooms, and the blacks go to the white restrooms. A few people shout at you, “Hey, go where you belong!” A lunch counter worker says he’s out of coffee, although there’s a full pot on the stove.
The biggest incident is in Rock Hill, South Carolina. A group of about 20 angry white men are waiting in the station when you arrive. John Lewis gets off the bus first and goes to use the white restroom. The mob starts hitting him with their fists.
You follow close behind John. A few people in the crowd slap your face and kick your shins. The police break up the fight. You continue your journey with just a few small bruises.
Now you are waiting in Atlanta. It’s Sunday, May 14. The next leg of your trip takes you to the most segregated, violent parts of the South. The group will follow two staggered routes. One bus will leave an hour before the other. No one is sure which bus will be the safest.
To go on the early bus through Anniston, Alabama, press here.