Freedom Rides

Question 1

Freedom Rides

Answer 1

Students from the University of Sydney, led by the university’s first indigenous graduate Charles Perkins, had set out on a two-week “Freedom Ride” through northern NSW to challenge racism and discrimination in regional Australia

Question 2

Aims

Answer 2

Draw domestic public attention to problems facing Indigenous communities in terms of health, education, and housing

Question 3

SAFA inspiration from US Civil Movement

Answer 3

• SAFA took inspiration from the US Civil Rights Movement in organizing the 1965 Freedom Ride - Similar to the US Civil Rights Movement, they embraced principles of ‘peaceful demonstrations’ and ‘passive resistance’

Question 4

Legacy

Answer 4

• Technological advancement and media coverage meant that experiences from the Freedom Rights were being shown to people around the country
• One experience shown to people included the vice-president of the Walgett Returned Service League Club who said he would never allow an Aboriginal to become a member
• People were not happy with this behavior and added pressure on the government
• The 1967 referendum would have been influenced a bit by this experience