Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
Charles Person, civil rights icon + original Freedom Rider, passes away at 82
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Charles Person, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement and the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, who were brutally beaten in Birmingham, passed away peacefully at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia. He was 82.
Person’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality and nonviolent activism
One of the original 13 Freedom Riders, Person helped challenge segregation on interstate buses in the South in 1961.
Nearly 64 years ago, on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, Person and his fellow Freedom Riders were attacked at the downtown Birmingham Greyhound terminal by a mob of klansman while the police watched.
After that fateful day, Person continued to work on various civil rights and justice initiatives. He also played a role in the creation of the Freedom Riders National Monument in 2017.
Heartfelt Statement from Birmingham Mayor
Today, following the passing of Charles Person, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released the following statement about his courage and passion for justice.
“I join the City of Birmingham in mourning the passing of my Morehouse brother Charles Person, a giant in the civil rights movement and a member of the original Freedom Riders. His dedication to equality and nonviolence continued well into the present day, when he co-founded the Freedom Riders Training Academy (FRTA), teaching a new generation of activists civic engagement and how to uplift our people.
His legacy will always be defined by his immeasurable courage. He stood firm so that we may be able to experience the joys of freedom. Rest well.”
Reconciliation and justice from teaching of the original Freedom Riders
In recent years, Person co-founded the Freedom Riders Training Academy (FRTA) with Pete Conroy, a civil rights advocate from Anniston. The academy teaches the principles of nonviolent resistance, civic engagement, and the protection of constitutional rights, drawing on the teachings of the original Freedom Riders, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A pilot program in Hoover allowed 80 demonstrators who were arrested during civil unrest to complete the FRTA curriculum as part of an alternative sentencing program. Pro bono attorney Richard Rice, representing those arrested, reached an agreement with the Hoover Municipal Court officials creating an alternative to traditional sentencing.
The innovative program helps reduce court caseloads and provides a meaningful opportunity for justice reform, serving as a model for communities nationwide.
Charles Person’s legacy — Freedom Riders Training Academy
“Charles was not only my life partner but a tireless advocate for justice and equality. His passion for nonviolence, peace, and education touched countless lives. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the Freedom Riders Training Academy and the lasting change he inspired.”
Jo Etta Person, Charles Person’s wife
The FRTA will officially launch in February. It will offer training for demonstrators, students, and law enforcement to promote peaceful protest, understanding, and reconciliation.
For more information about the Freedom Riders Training Academy, visit www.FRTAcademy.org on February 1, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the development of the Freedom Riders Park and the Freedom Riders Training Academy, which will continue Charles’ mission. Donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama.
