StarMetro Offers Free Rides on May 28
May 26, 2022
"I would rather walk in dignity than ride in humiliation." Those poignant words became the slogan for the local civil rights movement started in 1956 known as the Tallahassee Bus Boycott. In honor of the 66th anniversary of this pivotal moment in local history, StarMetro, the City of Tallahassee's mass transit system, will offer fare free bus rides on Saturday, May 28.
On May 26, 1956, Florida A&M University (FAMU) students Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson sat in the "whites only" section on a city bus in Tallahassee, refused to move and were arrested. This sparked a seven-month boycott of the transit system. Through nonviolent protest, boycotters in Tallahassee achieved an important victory in the struggle for civil rights.
"Offering free rides is a fitting tribute to honor the courageous actions of those involved in the Tallahassee bus boycott," Angela Baldwin, director of StarMetro, said. "Commemorating historical moments, like this, invites each of us to reflect on the past as we work toward the future."
Residents and visitors can learn more about the bus boycott and local foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement by visiting the Footsteps to Freedom memorial at the corner of Monroe and Jefferson streets downtown. A documentary by the same name is also available for free on the City's YouTube channel. History buffs can learn about other local points of interest at Talgov.com/Heritage.
StarMetro is proud to provide accessible, efficient and equitable public transportation, in line with the City's strategic goals. For more information, including route times and maps, visit Talgov.com/StarMetro.