StarMetro Offers Free Rides on May 23

Community Observances of Historical Event Take Place This Week

May 22, 2019

StarMetro, the City of Tallahassee’s mass transit system, will offer fare free bus rides on all its fixed route buses on Thursday, May 23, in honor of the 63nd anniversary of the Tallahassee bus boycott.

On May 26, 1956, Florida A&M University (FAMU) students Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson sat in the "whites only" section on a city bus in Tallahassee, refused to move and were arrested, sparking a seven-month boycott of the transit system. Through nonviolent protest, boycotters in Tallahassee achieved an important victory in the struggle for civil rights.

Now, 63 years later, the City of Tallahassee and community partners will remember the sacrifices and accomplishments of the individuals involved in this pivotal point in the nation’s history. As part of this observance, the City is proud to sponsor the Dr. Charles U. Smith Panel Discussions on May 23 at the Tallahassee Community College Grand Ballroom, 444 Appleyard Dr. The Mayor and City Commissioners will take part in various activities throughout the day-long event, which begins at 8:15 a.m. This event is hosted by the FAMU College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and the National Education and Empowerment Coalition Inc. For more information, including the agenda, visit www.neec-inc.org and click on Tallahassee Bus Boycott.

For more information about StarMetro, including route times and maps, visit Talgov.com.