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The trip commemorates when blacks and whites came together for the so-called "Freedom Rides" on buses in the deep south.

They challenged segregation at a time when buses and bus stations were separated by color.

About 50 students and faculty from five city high schools are taking part in the ride.

"The freedom riders fought for what they believed in, and they wanted to make students like us make a big impact. They made a big impact in our lives just by standing up for what they believed in," said Student Louis Aguiar.

"They went through beatings, fire-bombed buses, you know it's actually a shock because being a child I couldn't imagine that type of thing," said Student Ikenna Wesby.

Despite strong opposition, the rides eventually led to desegregation in interstate bus travel and sparked other Civil Rights advances.

One of the original freedom riders from Jackson says students are passing the torch.

"I'm not sure we've been involved enough with kids and having them understand that what we did might have seemed spectacular but they can do the same thing in their lives," said Freedom Rider LaVaughn Brown.

The students departed from East Harlem Friday and will head to Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and finally to Jackson.

NY1's Budd Mishkin will have reports from the road as the students make their journey to the south.