TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Tallahassee Community College hosted the 63rd Annual Observance of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott Thursday.
The day long event commemorates the actions of Willemena Jakes and Carrie Patterson, two Florida A&M University students who on May 26, 1956 refused to give up their seats on the city bus during the Civil Rights movement.
"The fact that they planted their foot and decided not to be treated as second class citizens and recruited the help of C.K. Steele and many others here in Tallahassee, it truly put Tallahassee on the mark and headed in the right direction," said John Dailey, Mayor of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee's central bus station is named after Reverend C.K. Steele. Riders there say the actions of those two FAMU students were not in vain.
"It means a lot. I mean, honestly to not, you know, be told where to sit at just because of the color of my skin, is a big impact," said Roy Anderson, a StarMetro rider.
StarMetro is also acknowledging the historic event with a deal for riders.
They will be able to take advantage of free rides on all of the StarMetro fixed routes all throughout Thursday.
StarMetro buses will be on the road until 10:30 p.m., but on alternate bus routes.
To see what buses are running, visit the city's website.
StarMetro is offering free rides all day Thursday.
Its in commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of when two FAMU students Wilhelmina Jakes Carrie Patterson sat in a "whites only" section on a city bus in Tallahassee on May 26, 1956.
The two women refused to move, which sparked a seven month bus boycott.
The city recognizes this achievement as a important victory in the fight for civil rights.
As part of the observance the City of Tallahassee is hosting the Dr. Charles U. Smith Panel Discussions Thursday at Tallahassee Community College.
To learn more visit Talgov.com.
