PARIS, FRANCE - The French government has honored one of America's Freedom Riders, Lew Zuchman, this past weekend in Paris. In 1961, Freedom Riders joined together to board buses headed south in an effort to integrate the interstate bus system; they put aside differences of gender, race and religious background to take a stand against prejudice laws in our country. Their courage and strong will helped to change the face of the civil rights movement, of which has always garnered international attention.
The events of the weekend included documentary screenings of "Grandpa Was a Freedom Rider", exhibitions, student debates, and ended with an event signifying the anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
Upon receiving this recognition, Mr. Zuchman said, "Our reception in France has been incredibly special. I am grateful to see younger generations from across the world take note of this integral part of our history as a society, learn from it, and inhabit their own personal movements in the fight for civil justice."