TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Events commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott continued Friday with a symbolic walk down the same path the boycotters took years ago.
For some, 62 years seems like forever ago. But for others, it seems like yesterday.
Gloria Jefferson-Anderson was only a child during the bus boycott, but she remembers that time vividly.
"All of a sudden, we couldn't ride the buses any more," said Anderson. "We couldn't walk to town to catch the bus and I didn't understand why we couldn't catch the city buses."
May 26, 1956 was the day many decided to walk instead of ride the city bus to fight for equality.
And 62 years later, community members are walking, this time to honor those who fought for fair treatment.
"It's important to remember that there's always work that needs to be done but also reflect on the work that has been done and commemorate it," said FAMU grad student Brianna Harrison.
A wreath was placed in front of the historical marker on FAMU's campus that commemorates the two women who pioneered the Tallahassee Bus Boycott movement, Carrie Patterson and Wilhemia Jakes. And on another wreath, flowers to signify unity with ribbons at the bottom linking the unity between FAMU and FSU.
"I always say that these types of stories are not only just black history, but it's American history and it's something that the entire country should know," said Harrison.
Anderson encourages all to remember that without those storytellers, there is no history.
"Get with your grandparents or great-grandparents and ask them about their childhood and I guarantee you that you'll find some story that you would be willing to write," said Anderson.
And on the actual day of the start of the boycott, which is Saturday, StarMetro is offering free bus rides out of C.K. Steele Bus Plaza, which is named for another one of Tallahassee's Civil Rights leaders.
