Janet Braun Reinitz
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Janet Braun Reinitz

New York City, New York, United States

New York City, New York, United States
Band Spoken Word Comedy

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"Letters from Students"

3-20-08
Dear Mrs. Braun-Reinitz,
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit the girls of Passages Academy. Your visit made my lesson plan on the Freedom Riders come to life. The girls were amazed to hear about the things that they read in class from a person who was actually there. I know they will never forget the time history came alive at Passages Academy. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Matthew Barnes

Dear Mrs. Braun Reinitz
I had enjoyed hearing of the history you had passed through. You’re life didn’t seem easy but thanks to you I have learned lots about freedom riders. You are important to all of us. I felt that if someone like you did something brave I should stand up for my rights also. I like your courage and I also am inspired by you. I really loved the way you had give us an example like a little tiny show of what you passed through. You are my hero and god bless you. It’s exciting that you give a hand shake to Malcom X and Martin Luther King. I wish I had shook your hand but I didn’t get a change to. I also want to thank you for coming to Euphrasian.
Love,
Lissette

Dear: Janet Braun Reinitz
Thank you for coming to Eurphrasian and speaking to us. I was very interested of what you was speaking about. While you were speaking I was just picturing and thinking about the horrible things that happened in your time. I know it must have been very scary to be on the bus while people where rocking it. I know if I would have been in that situation I would of cried of fainted. I know that for somebody to do that it takes a lot of courage. I also think that its amazing that you know Malcolm X. When you shook my hand I was so happy, and I felt famous. Im amazed that you even came to Eurphrasian to speak about what happen. I appreciate you coming and speakin to us hope to see you again.
Sincerely,
Julisa

Dear Ms. Braun-Reintz
Hello, my name is Natalie from Euphrasium. I was very moved by your presence. It’s motivating that you took the time to come to Eurphrasium and speak about your experiences with the freedom riders. Though it is not my favorite time period in history. I admire you and your courage for what you’ve been through.
It’s inspiring how years late you can talk about the freedom riders hardships and what you and other freedom riders have accomplished today. I appreciate the fact that you can talk about what you delt with and be looked up to by us young ladies. While you spoke, you opened my eyes to information I wasn’t informed about. Thank you for your time and dedication and the positive changes you’ve done for this generation!
Sincerely,
Natalie

Dear Ms. Janet Braun Reinitz,
I am writing this letter to you to thank you for coming here to Euphrasian to actually talk to us. In my eyes, you are a role model to me because of what you actually did in 1961 with the freedom riders.
I am so surprised that you actually shook Martin L. King’s had and also Malcolm X. I am also happy that you weren’t on the first bus that got burned on mother’s day in 1960.
I am glad that you weren’t hurt on the second bus when you went all the way to ALABAMA. If that was me, I would’ve been scared.
By Sabrina

Dear Ms. Braun-Reintz
My name is Bianca, and I am a resident at Euphrasian, also know as Good Sherpherd. I want to thank you for coming out of your way and visiting not only me but my fellow classmates, teachers, and staff. I was so excited to hear you were coming. I was so excited that I wanted to escort you in and serve you some coffee.
The information that you gave us was helpful and you were right on point. You didn’t give too much or too little, you gave just the right amount. I was impressed on how BRAVE you were and while violence was increasing, you kept taking notes. I’m glad you came and I hope to see you again. Thanks for the autograph and the amazing handshakes.
You change people’s lives, and help others overcome fear and become brave, that is why you are my hero today.
Sincerely,
Bianca

Dear Mrs. Braun-Reintiz,
My name is Ariel. I am a resident in Eurphrasian. I was blessed and pleased that you took the time and effort to come a share that wonderful story. Your story touched me physically and mentally. It must have been hard and stressful to do what you did and what you did inspired me. You are a strong women and your face should be painted on the wall because you are one in a million. I appreciate everything you did to help the racism and segregation be heard and fixed. With out you and the freedom riders we would not be equal, diverse, and a better community that we are today. So I say thank you for being a hero to me and for being you.
Sincerely,
Ariel

Dear Mrs. Braun Reinitz
Thank you for coming to our school. It was a pleasure to hear you speak. You words were so true to me. I really like the part when you spoke about you and the very brave freedom riders. You hav - Euphrasian


"Riders to Check Out of State After Judge 'Turns Other Cheek'"

By L.D. Kerr and John Taylor
Democrat Staff Writers
Judge Quinn Glover today "turned the other cheek," again releasing four "freedom riders" on condition that they would make no more tests of bus facilities in Arkansas. The fours agreed to Judge Glover's stipulation, but declined to tell newsmen when they would leave or what their next stop would be. Today's hearing came about apparently because of what the riders called "a misunderstanding as to our destination after we were released." Rev. B Elton Cox of High Point, N.C., leader of the group, testified today that they agreed with the original agreement to leave Arkansas but said that it was too vague. He said he felt that the public had been misinformed in yesterday's publicity of the matter. He said that it appeared that they had been spanked and sent home. "We have the tickets and we intend to use them," Cox testified. "New Orleans is our destination." Cox later repeated this to a newsman and said, "This does not mean that there will be no more freedom riders in Little Rock." As he did yesterday, Judge Glover convened the hearing and took the four into his chamber. After about a 20 minute conference, the court was reconvened. Judge Glover then issued a statement in which he said, "I have turned the other cheek...reluctantly...to settle this matter once and for all.” They agreed to accept Judge Glover's offer in the municipal court hearing to refrain from further tests to segregated facilities in Arkansas and their $500 fines and six months in jail were suspended. It was the second time Judge Glover turned the riders loose. After a hearing yesterday in his court, the judge suspended the sentences under the provision the defendants would leave Arkansas and return to their homes. Judge Glover tempered his ruling today and ordered the defendants not to engage in further tests in Arkansas. - The Democrat - July 13, 1961


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Still working on that hot first release.

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History
In 1961, an interracial group of bus riders set out to test a new law outlawing segregation in transportation terminals. Sponsored by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the riders used nonviolence as a strategy to highlight the injustice of segregation.

The rides began in Washington, D.C. Two teams of riders boarded two buses, a Greyhound and a Trailways. The planned route would have the riders arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate the May 17th anniversary of the Brown v. Board decision that outlawed school segregation seven years before. The route would also take the riders through the deep South, through some of the most dangerous areas of the country for people who believed in racial equality.

The first leg of the journey was largely uneventful. John Lewis, a young student from Nashville, was arrested and detained briefly in Rock Hill, South Carolina, but the rides continued on to Atlanta. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. helped host the riders there and expressed concern for their safety as they prepared to enter Alabama. His concern proved prophetic.

Just outside of Anniston, Alabama, a mob attacked and fire-bombed one bus. Only the quick intervention of state safety office saved the lives of the riders. The other bus managed to arrive in Birmingham, only to be greeted by an angry gang who beat the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Rides had reached a critical point. Should they continue, at the risk of suffering and perhaps death or should the rides stop? As CORE debated this issue, Attorney General Robert Kennedy sent in his special assistant John Seigenthaler to help the beleaguered Freedom Riders get safely to New Orleans.

In Nashville, a group of young student activists learned of the violence against the Freedom Riders. After much debate, the students decided that if the Freedom Rides ended, it would send a signal to racist hate groups that violence could end the struggle for freedom. Then the violence against activists for freedom would increase, making it harder to secure equality. The Nashville students did not want the movement for civil rights to end, so they sent students to Alabama to continue the Freedom Rides.

This courageous effort by these young students, many of whom were members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), inspired other young people to get involved and join the Freedom Rides too. During the rest of that year, hundreds of black and white students traveled from across the country to help integrate the terminals. But they didn't just help end segregation there. Ultimately, the young Freedom Riders helped bolster a movement of local black activists across the deep South, and together they would help topple segregation everywhere.

So, the story of the Freedom Riders shows how young, committed students can organize and improve society. Are you willing to work for a better world?