Representative John Lewis of Georgia, who participated in the rides, said he teared up on Friday when he walked through the old Greyhound station where years ago he was beaten and knocked unconscious.
“It says something about the distance we’ve come and the progress we’ve made in this state and nation,” Mr. Lewis said.
That change was evident in John Patterson, a former Alabama governor. In 1961, he called the Freedom Riders fools and agitators when they set out to integrate Southern bus stations. Now 89, Mr. Patterson welcomed them on Friday and praised them for bringing needed changes.
“It took a lot of nerve and guts to do what they did,” he said after meeting 10 Freedom Riders for the first time.
