Sources:
http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_memphis_sanitation_workers_strike_1968/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89361277
In early 1968 The City of Memphis, Tennessee saw a chain of events that would arguably be one of the last massive acts of Civil disobedience & Protest, and ultimately would end with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After suffering through years of working in inhumane & hostile working conditions, Memphis Sanitation workers had become fed up. Workers often complained of deplorable conditions that included a lack of protection from the weather, leaking trash, having to go home with maggots in their clothing, poor pay & the city's refusal to repair or replace poorly functioning trucks. Complaints or requests for improved conditions could get you fired. The tipping point came on February 1st 1968 when Echol Cole and Robert Walker were crushed to death while seeking shelter from heavy rain inside the back of a malfunctioning garbage truck. After the city failed to effectively address the roots causes for the tragedy, an estimated 1,300 City Workers would then go on strike. The movement quickly picked up the support of Labor Unions & Student Groups from all over the country. Dr. King, The NAACP & SCLC would ramp up their efforts to support the movement starting in march of that year. A huge protest march was scheduled for March 28th 1968, but would ultimately things go horribly wrong. It is said that roughly 22,000 students skipped school to participate & have their voice heard; but with the late arrival of Dr. King & his entourage, the crowd situation at some point/for some reason escalated into a riot. As a result, the event was cancelled & Dr. King was hurried away to safety. One teenager was killed by Memphis Police, tear gas was shot into the church intended to be used as a safe haven for the would-be protesters, 4,000 National Guard Troops were called in, and martial Law was declared. Acknowledging the reality that large numbers of youth no longer believed in Non-Violent Civil Disobedience, Dr. King considered not returning to Memphis. Ultimately however, Dr. King would return a week later to finish what he had started. On April 4th 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King would be assassinated & more rioting would follow. Next week will speak to the involvement of the U.S. Government in his assassination. Sources: http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_memphis_sanitation_workers_strike_1968/ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89361277
1 Comment
Aphropik
4/7/2015 03:08:26 am
I never knew the tragedy that led to the strike... Thanks!
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