Final answer:
The correct answer is Option 4: John Lewis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1961, participated in the freedom rides, was severely beaten for his involvement, and also took part in the March on Washington in 1963 is none other than John Lewis. Throughout his time with the SNCC, Lewis was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, enduring numerous beatings and arrests to challenge the injustices of Jim Crow segregation in the South. At 23, he had become a nationally recognized leader, and his commitment was evident through his role as a keynote speaker at the historic March on Washington.
Moreover, Lewis's journey began with the freedom rides where he and other volunteers from various racial backgrounds boarded buses to challenge segregation on interstate transportation. They faced extreme violence, notably in Rock Hill, South Carolina where Lewis was beaten, and the situation escalated through Georgia and Alabama with one of the buses being firebombed.
Despite the dangers, Lewis continued to fight against racial inequality by participating in voter registration drives, sit-ins, and other forms of peaceful protests. His archival materials, showcasing his activism and leadership, have found their place in the Library of Congress for future generations to study and learn from his courage and determination in the fight for civil rights.