Aug. 12, 1961 - The Alabama Senate gave swift approval today to a bill to prohibit Freedom Rides in Alabama. The House-passed bill was sent to Gov. John Patterson for signature. Members of the chamber voted, 24-0, in favor of the measure, which sets a maximum penalty of $300 fine and 6 months in jail for anyone who pre-announces and carries out a challenge to Alabama's racial barriers. Specifically, the bill forbids "any act, gesture or communication which is calculated to so outrage or transgress the sense of decency and morals or so violate or transgress the pattern of life and habits of the people of Alabama as to be likely to cause riot."
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