Final answer:
In 1961, the Freedom Riders encountered violence in Alabama when a mob attacked one of the buses. The riders escaped the bus, but were still subjected to attacks by the Klan.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1961, the Freedom Riders were met with violent opposition in Alabama when a mob of white supremacists, including members of the Ku Klux Klan, surrounded one of the buses transporting the riders in an effort to intimidate and halt their journey. The Freedom Riders succeeded in escaping from the besieged bus, but they were unable to avoid the Klan members unleashing a brutal and vicious attack.
The violent events in Alabama underscored the resistance against desegregation efforts and highlighted the dangers faced by those challenging racial segregation through nonviolent protest, contributing to the national awareness of the civil rights struggle.