Charles Perkins 1965 Freedom Ride was a civil rights movement in Australia that was inspired and influenced by the civil rights movement in the U.S (the Freedom Rides in the States and Dr Kings non violent direct action philosophy) that was highly effective in achieving civil rights and freedom for Indigenous Australians. The freedom riders were a group of university students led by Charles Perkins that traveled between country towns in NSW and were surveying the indigenous population and their race relations, doing peaceful protests which caused “creative tension” that catches the attention of the media and pressure the government either federal, …show more content…
Charles Perkins 1965 Freedom Ride use of non-violent direct action causing “creative tension“ which not only grabbed the public attention through the media but it also pressured the government and community to take action against its discrimination. When the SAFA was in Moore, they went with eight Aboriginal children, whose families gave permission ,to gain entry to the local swimming pool which refused people with aboriginal blood (mixed or pure) entry. The manager at the time refused to sell entry coupons but after the more peaceful non-violent direct action by blocking other people from entering the pool until the Aboriginal kids were allowed in the pool. This caused a massive mob and violence grew but in the end of it “They let the kids in for a swim and we went in with them. We had broken the ban!” (A bastard like me, Charles Perkins). The use of non-violent direct action to pressure the government, community and local authorities to take action being implemented by Charles Perkins 1965 Freedom Ride show how highly effective the movement was in achieving Civil rights and freedoms for