Chapter 12, The Summer of Freedom Rides, Summary and Analysis

Robert Kennedy was called back to his office when news of the Montgomery riot reached Washington. Kennedy called Seigenthaler in his hospital room and asked him to speak to King. Kennedy wanted the riders to stop before someone was killed. The governor of Alabama was fighting with the federal authorities to keep federal troops out of his state, despite his failure to follow through with his promise to protect the Freedom Riders. A mass meeting was called at Abernathy's church, and people began arriving hours before the meeting was scheduled. Word spread and a white mob began to appear around the church. King was there to speak and became as nervous as everyone else at the sight of the mob outside the church. There were marshals present at the church, holding...