On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. journeyed to Memphis to support Black sanitation workers

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FILE - In this March 30, 1968 file photo, Tennessee National Guard troopers in jeeps and trucks escort a protest march by striking Memphis sanitation workers through downtown Memphis, Tenn. A historic strike by the Memphis, Tenn., sanitation workers union drew the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the city where he was assassinated. (AP Photo, File)
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On March 28, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. journeyed to Memphis, Tennessee, to support Black sanitation workers in their quest for dignity and fair treatment. He led a march of 6,000 people in solidarity with their cause, which unfortunately escalated into violence. Tragically, one person lost their life, while 50 were injured, and hundreds were detained.

As the procession advanced through the iconic Beale Street, some young Black individuals began vandalizing storefronts. When they reached a critical juncture, fellow freedom rider James Lawson observed a significant police presence in riot gear, prompting concern for King’s safety. Lawson persuaded him to depart the scene to avoid potential harm. The aftermath deeply troubled the civil rights icon. Just days later, on April 8, King was assassinated.


Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

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