Twenty-one bicyclists descended on Hopkinsville Friday morning, as they take part in an event that follows the path of the Trail of Tears—the Remember the Removal bike ride.
Eleven of the riders are a part of the Cherokee Nation while 10 are from the Eastern Band of Cherokee from North Carolina. Every year, they trek out from the starting point in Georgia and travel hundreds of miles through eight states, following the path the Cherokee tribes took when forced to Oklahoma, all so they remember that point in their heritage and teach others that it cannot be repeated.
Rider Marie Eubanks says she has a lot of reasons why she participates, one being that she can take this first-hand knowledge and experience back to the kindergarteners she teaches at the Cherokee Immersion School.
The bikers have been traveling through all weather conditions, including heavy rain, and Eubanks says they push on because they know it doesn’t hold a candle to what their ancestors endured.
The riders were presented with a Key to the City of Hopkinsville by councilmember Jimmy Dossett, and Representative Myron Dossett read a proclamation on behalf of Governor Matt Bevin declaring it Trail of Tears Remembrance Week.
The first ride took place in 1984 and there were two riders on hand Friday that took part in that first ride. Approximately 4,000 Cherokee people died from cold, hunger and disease during the forced removal that came to be known as the Trail of Tears.
