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Sign burned at Freedom Riders Park

Monday, November 5, 2012

Anniston police are searching for the person who burned the sign at the new Freedom Riders Park. The sign marks the spot where in 1961, a mob attacked a bus carrying Civil Rights demonstrators. It was put up just three weeks ago, so it is hard for some to believe amyone would try to burn it to the ground. Annison police and fire department investigators do not believe the fire was set accidentally. The fire chief believes it was maliciously and intentionally set. Pete Conory, co-chair of the Freedom Riders Park Committee was heartbroken when he got the phone call Sunday morning. Before this weekend, the back of the sign outlined the history of what happened when a mob ambushed a bus carrying Freedom Riders. The mob slashed the bus' tires and then firebombed it. Hank Thomas is the only living Freedom Rider who was on that bus. He hopes elected officials use this incident to send a message that this type of violence will not intimidate anyone. "The elected officials, state elected officials need to speak out very forcefully and say what happened on Saturday night does not reflect Anniston," said Thomas. Dr. William Harbour became a Freedom Rider after hearing about the 1961 firebombing. He says the park marked a major change for Anniston and the state but this weekends events were a disappointment. He hopes the community can come together to solve this crime. "We can have good Christian families, white and black, say this is wrong for this community and step up to the plate and say we're not going to have this," Harbour said. "We can't let one or two small incidents turn back the clock from 50 years." Anniston police and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office are investigating. Right now, it is unclear who set the fire or the motive behind it, but Anniston Police do call whoever did this "cowards." "Something like this with the potential for the emotional impact it has in trying to heal old wounds is definitely a high priority for the police department," Anniston Sgt. Josh Doggrell said.

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Keywords: Anniston police ,Freedom Riders Park, sign ,Calhoun County Sheriff's Office , fire ,

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