Dr. King Arrives in Memphis

The strike continued and Reverend James Lawson, with support of other COME leaders, urged Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Memphis. Although he was tired from recent travels, Dr. King viewed the sanitation workers strike as "an ideal scenario to eliminating poverty" and an opportunity to show America why he was organizing the Poor People's Campaign later that spring. The Poor People's Campaign aimed to bring 3000 protesters to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress and other governmental agencies for an "economic bill of rights."

King gave a riveting speech to 10,000 sanitation strikers and supporters in Mason Temple on March 18:

"You are demanding that this city will respect the dignity of labor. So often we over look the worth and significance of those who are not in the professional jobs, in the so called big jobs, but let me say to you tonight, that when ever you are engaged in work, that serves humanity, for the building of humanity it has dignity and it has worth."

A few minutes after his speech was over, King spoke again and answered the crowd's primary question: he promised to return and lead a march.

King Arrives in Memphis

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. greeting his supporters upon his arrival in Memphis on March 18, 1968. (Creator: Leaptrott, William; Date: 1968-03-18)

Wurf, King, Ciampa, Memphis

AFSCME President Jerry Wurf consults with Martin Luther King, Jr. who traveled to Memphis to lend support to the striking sanitation workers of Local 1733. AFSCME Field Director P.J. Ciampa stands behind them. (Creator: Copley, Richard L.; Date: 1968)

King speaks in Memphis

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks to a crowd in Memphis during the AFSCME Local 1733 sanitation workers' strike. (Creator: Withers, Ernest C., 1922-2007; Date: 1968-03)

King in Memphis

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. meets with a crowd in Memphis during the AFSCME Local 1733 sanitation workers' strike. (Date: 1968-03)