Whites Stone Bi- Racialists In U.S.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 24

Whites Stone BiRacialists In U.S.

ANNISTON (Alabama!. May 14. A bus carrying a biracial group protesting against bus segregation laws in tbe south of the United States was stoned and burned by white men today. Its • 22 occupants were rushed to a hospital for treatment. United Press International reported. None of the 15 whites and seven negroes was believed to be seriously injured. Witnesses reported that one negro was struck on the head with a chain as the occupants fled from the burning bus, but the arrival of State highway patrolmen prevented further violence. Most of the passengers aboard the Greyhound bus. which was travelling from Atlanta to Birmingham, Alabama, were members of the Congress of Racial Equality. The group was travelling through Dixie in an attempt to integrate bus station facilities. Station Closed The bus station at Anniston was closed before the bus arrived in an apparent attempt to avoid violence. A crowd of about 100 white men was gathered at the station when the bus arrived, U.P.I. said. Witnesses said the crowd began yelling for the “freedom riders" to get out of the bus. But a State policeman in plain clothes barred the door,

and kept the bus passengers inside. The men then began stoning the bus and slashing tyres. The bus left the station, but about three miles outside Anniston two of the tyres went flat. The white men, following in about fifty cars, stopped around the bus and again yelled for the passengers to alight. Fire In Bus A fire then started in the bus. Police said they were not certain whether some sort of fire bomb or flare was tossed into the vehicle or whether the flames originated inside the bus. The occupants began fleeing from the bus. They were met by the white men. Witnesses reported some blows were struck, and one negro was struck by a man wielding a chain. State highway patrolmen arrived at that time and prevented further violence. The bus occupants were rushed to the emergency room of the Anniston Hospital for treatment of burns and lacerations.