During the fifteen minutes after the bus arrived, racists assaulted not only the freedom riders but also other passengers – both black and white – who happened to be on the same bus, as well as bystanders waiting in the station to welcome their friends and family to birmingham. the assailants also went after local white reporters, destroying cameras, film, and a microphone. right on schedule, a detective announced, “your fifteen minutes is up . . the police are coming.” the attackers slipped away. when connor was asked why it took so long for his men to drive the four blocks from the police station to the bus station, he explained that they were all at home celebrating mother’s day. —we’ve got a job, cynthia levinson write two to three sentences describing how the author readers connect to the people and events of the past.