A major civil rights landmark has been saved from potential sale after strong opposition from lawmakers and advocates. The historic Montgomery Bus Station, home to the Freedom Riders Museum, has officially been removed from the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) list of properties designated for sale.
The move comes after U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), alongside Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), led the charge in demanding the site be protected. Sewell issued a statement on Wednesday expressing her relief that this critical piece of American history will remain preserved.
“I’m relieved that this important piece of our nation’s civil rights history will not be sold off to the highest bidder,” Sewell said. “The Trump Administration should have never placed it on that list to begin with.”
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced plans to sell off hundreds of federal buildings deemed “non-core assets,” including several historic properties. Out of 443 buildings listed, many were on the National Register of Historic Places or had undergone major renovations.
One of the most alarming listings was Montgomery’s historic Bus Station, which serves as the home of the Freedom Riders Museum; a site that honors the brave activists who challenged segregation on public transportation in 1961.
Recognizing the importance of this site, Sewell and Figures sent a formal letter to the GSA demanding the property be removed from the sale list. Their efforts paid off, ensuring that the museum remains a protected landmark.
