mlk led protesters through memphis in support of sanitation workers in august 1966.
when did mlk lead protesters through memphis in support of sanitation workers?
august 1966
the memphis sanitation strike began in february 1968 in memphis, tennessee. following years of poor pay and dangerous working conditions, and provoked by the crushing to death of workers echol cole and robert walker in garbage compactors, over 700 of the 1300 black sanitation workers met on sunday, february 11, and agreed to strike. they then did not turn out for work on the following day. they also sought to join the american federation of state, county, and municipal employees (afscme) local 1733. the sanitation strike was also the reason for martin luther king jr.'s presence in memphis, where he was assassinated.
memphis sanitation strike
in february of 1968, two african american sanitation workers were killed by unsafe garbage truck equipment in memphis, tennessee. discouraged and outraged, sanitation workers formed a labor union to advocate their rights to higher pay and safer working conditions. mayor loeb and the city refused to recognize the labor union, the american federation of state, county and municipal employees (afscme) local 1733 and 1,300 sanitation workers organized a labor strike on february 12, 1968. the strike lasted two months, successfully crippling garbage collection and bringing dr. martin luther king jr. to memphis to help with the protests in his nonviolent way. with his presence the community was greatly inspired, and he delivered his infamous "i've been to the mountaintop" sermon in the mason temple church, rallying behind the protesters "i may not get there with you. but i want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land." dr. king was assassinated the next day. on april 8, 1968 coretta scott king flew to memphis for a nonviolent memorial march to honor dr. king's life. with 40,000 people, the marchers silently raised protest signs and remembered the man and the cause. finally, on april 16, 1968 the memphis sanitation strike ended with the help of james reynolds, a top us labor official. author alice faye duncan describes the history of the memphis strike through a child's perspective.
memphis, martin, and the mountaintop