James Zwerg was born on November 28,1939 and is an American retired minister who was involved with the Freedom Riders in the early 1960s.
22 Facts About James Zwerg
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James Zwerg's father was a dentist who once a month provided free dental care to the poor.
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James Zwerg was very involved in school and took part in the student protests in high school.
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James Zwerg was very active in the Christian church, where he attended services regularly.
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James Zwerg was taught that all people are created equal, no matter what race or religion they are.
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James Zwerg developed an interest in civil rights from his interactions with his roommate, Robert Carter, an African-American from Georgia.
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James Zwerg participated in a one-semester student exchange program in January 1961 at Nashville's Fisk University, a predominantly black school.
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At Fisk, James Zwerg met John Lewis, who was active in the Civil Rights Movement, and was immediately impressed with the way Lewis handled himself and his commitment to the movement.
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James Zwerg joined SNCC and suggested that the group attend a movie.
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James Zwerg began attending SNCC nonviolence workshops, often playing the angry bigot in role-play.
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When trying to enter the theater on February 21,1961, James Zwerg was hit with a monkey wrench and knocked unconscious.
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At one point while James Zwerg was unconscious, three men held him up while a woman kicked him in the groin.
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James Zwerg crashed to the ground below, landing on his head.
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James Zwerg was still unconscious when I left the hospital.
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James Zwerg was denied prompt medical attention because there were no white ambulances available.
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James Zwerg remained unconscious for two days and stayed in the hospital for five days.
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James Zwerg was ordained a minister, serving for five years in three rural Wisconsin communities.
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James Zwerg changed his career several times, including charity organization work and a stint in community relations at IBM.
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James Zwerg retired in 1993 after which the couple built a cabin in rural New Mexico about 50 miles from the nearest grocery store.
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James Zwerg continues to spread awareness to this day about the trials and tribulations of the Freedom Rides and how love is what is most important.
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James Zwerg gave a speech on May 18,2011 at Troy University Rosa Parks Museum.
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James Zwerg spoke about the effect the Freedom Rides had on his life.