Good morning, friends
It’s Friday, June 13th, and I’m starting something truly special today. I’ve joined an incredible group of educators for the 2025 Civil Rights Trip focused on the Freedom Riders. Over the next few days, we’ll be retracing history—standing in the very places where brave men and women stood, marched, sat, resisted… and transformed our nation.
Right now, we’re heading to our first stop: Rock Hill, South Carolina—the site of the historic McCrory’s sit-in and the birthplace of the ‘Jail, No Bail’ strategy used by the Friendship 9. This is also where John Lewis, Al Bigelow, and Genevieve Hughes were attacked simply for asserting their rights in a whites-only waiting room.
We’re officially on the road. In this clip, you’ll hear Mr. L. B., our amazing trip leader, sharing powerful context about our first stop—Rock Hill, SC—where the Friendship 9 made history with their “Jail, No Bail” strategy.
Our first stop on this Civil Rights journey was humbling.
We visited the site of McCrory’s Five & Dime, where in 1960, students from Friendship Junior College staged a sit-in after being denied service at the lunch counter. Their peaceful resistance helped ignite a movement that would last over a year—and lay the groundwork for even bigger action.
It was here, in 1961, that the Friendship Nine made history by refusing to pay bail after their arrest. Their bold decision—“Jail, No Bail”—became a national strategy for the Freedom Riders and other civil rights activists.
Although we didn’t go inside the museum, I was able to capture some powerful images through the glass. Even through a window, the weight of this history could be felt. The wall shouting “JAIL, NO BAIL!” speaks volumes about the strength and resolve of young people who stood up when it mattered most.
This place marks more than just a moment in time—it marks a shift in the struggle for justice.
#FreedomRiders #FriendshipNine #JailNoBail #CivilRightsTrip2025 #CTI #RockHillSC
Tucked away in the heart of downtown Rock Hill is a path that quietly tells a powerful story—the Freedom Walkway…
As I walked along and filmed the engraved names beneath my feet, I felt the weight of history rise up from the ground. Each name represents someone who stood up—and sat down—for justice. Many were students. Many were teenagers. All were brave.
This walkway honors those who challenged segregation in Rock Hill, including the Friendship Nine, whose “Jail, No Bail” strategy changed the direction of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s not a flashy monument. It’s a humble reminder—that ordinary people in small towns did extraordinary things.
It made me pause. Reflect. Give thanks.
And most importantly—it reminded me why we keep telling these stories.
#FreedomWalkway #RockHillSC #FriendshipNine #CivilRightsTrip2025 #CTI #JailNoBail #OrdinaryHeroes
Quick bathroom break here in Georgia—stretching our legs and catching our breath for a moment. The bus ride has my back reminding me I’m not 20 anymore 
Next stop: Atlanta, where we’ll visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Can’t wait to share what we learn there. Stay tuned!
#CivilRightsTrip2025 #FreedomRiders #TravelWithPurpose #OnTheRoadAgain
© 2025 Rachel Mawuena A. Dabla. All rights reserved.
