G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century

by Beverly Gage

The chief goal of the Freedom Ride was to insist that the federal government enforce its own laws, to make it impossible for John and Robert Kennedy—and, by extension, Hoover—to sit on the sidelines. A full two weeks before departing, CORE sent letters to the FBI, the Justice Department, and the White House outlining the Freedom Riders’ itinerary and asking for federal protection. Receiving no reply, the group reached out again through journalist Simeon Booker, the FBI’s longtime contact at Jet magazine, who planned to ride along with the activists and document their journey. On May 3, Booker met briefly with Bobby Kennedy, who said that CORE should let him know if they ran into any problems. Booker also spoke with at least one FBI official. On the night before their departure, he called FBI headquarters to say that the Freedom Ride was preparing to head out and that they were concerned about the prospect of violence.[6]