By The Commercial Appeal
Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was on a tour of the South to recruit volunteers for his “Poor People’s Campaign”, spoke to an overflow crowd at Mason Temple March 18, 1968.
Crowd estimates ranged from 9,000-13,000. Speaking in support of striking sanitation workers, King called for a general work stoppage by black Memphians if the city did not agree to a union dues checkoff. “Along with wages and other securities, you’re struggling for the right to organize. This is the way to gain power. Don’t go back to work until all your demands are met”, Dr. King told the crowd.
He pledged to return to Memphis on March 22 to lead a march that was postponed because of a near record snowfall. The protest was rescheduled for March 28. The march ended in disorder with looting and vandalism along Beale and Main Streets. Police moved in with tear gas and nightsticks. By day’s end, one person had been killed and more than 60 injured.
King would agonize over what happened and vowed to return to lead a peaceful mass march. On Wednesday, April 3, King again returned to Memphis. That night, more than 2,000 listened as he gave his famous “Mountaintop” speech at Mason Temple.
The next day, at 6:01p.m., an assassin’s bullet struck Dr. King as he stood on the balcony outside room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. (By Vernon Matthews / copyright, The Commercial Appeal) READ MORE…
