1961 Freedom Rider James Zwerg: Shocking photo created a hero, but not to his family

Shocking photo created a hero, but not to his family
By John Blake, CNN
May 16, 2011 9:59 a.m. EDT



James Zwerg's physical wounds healed after he was attacked by an Alabama mob, but the emotional wounds festered.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/16/Zwerg.freedom.rides/index.html?hpt=C1

(CNN) -- The mob was already waiting for James Zwerg by the time the Greyhound bus eased into the station in Montgomery, Alabama.

Looking out the window, Zwerg could see men gripping baseball bats, chains and clubs. They had sealed off the streets leading to the bus station and chased away news photographers. They didn't want anyone to witness what they were about to do.

Zwerg accepted his worst fear: He was going to die today.

Only the night before, Zwerg had prayed for the strength to not strike back in anger. He was among the 18 white and black college students from Nashville who had decided to take the bus trip through the segregated South in 1961. They called themselves Freedom Riders. Their goal was to desegregate public transportation.



James Zwerg, right, with John Lewis after the mob attacked them. Zwerg passed out soon after the photo was taken.