The Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Part I

MLK's Prominence From Montgomery Bus Boycott

Martin Luther King Jr. became a recognized leader within the civil rights movement starting with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was spurred by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat. By the 1960s, King was a prominent American figure, gracing the cover of Time magazine and, in 1964, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial inequality.

Criticism of MLK's Nonviolent Approach From Younger Generations and Malcolm X's Advocates

Although King was admired by many, his doctrine of nonviolence faced criticism, particularly from younger generations and advocates of Malcolm X’s philosophies. Malcolm X's beliefs in Black separatism and the idea that violence was an acceptable means for achieving Black self-determination stood in contrast to King’s principles. Malcolm X considered King's nonviolent approach to be criminal in the face of the violence against Blacks during peaceful marches. King's later opposition to the Vietnam War also led to a waning in his popularity, with newspapers censuring his "Beyond Vietnam" address.

MLK Shifted Focus From Civil Rights to Economic Justice, Launching the Poor People's Campaign

Focus Shift Causes Tension in MLK's Organization

In the latter part of his life, King shifted his focus from civil rights to the broader issue of economic justice for all impoverished Americans through the Poor People’s Campaign. King called for an Economic Bill of Rights and promised a more assertive campaign, albeit still within his nonviolent ...

The city of Memphis became a focal point for civil rights and economic justice in 1968, marked by protests, marches, and tragic events. Martin Luther King Jr.'s involvement was crucial during this period.

1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike: MLK's Bridge Between Civil Rights and Economic Justice

The Memphis sanitation workers' strike became a national concern, as it not just highlighted the struggle for civil rights but also the fight for economic equality.

Memphis Tension: Protests and Clashes Over Sanitation Workers

Memphis faced heightened tensions due to protests and the clashes stemming from the sanitation workers' strike. The plight of the predominantly black sanitation workers led to protests which further escalated tensions. Workers were struggling for acknowledgment of their labor, dignity, and a living wage – conditions so dire that even full-time staff qualified for food stamps.

Sanitation Workers' Tragic Deaths Spurred a Walkout, Prompting MLK to Lead a March That Turned Violent

The deaths of two sanitation workers, Echo Cole and Robert Walker, served as a catalyst for the strike when they were tragically killed by a malfunctioning garbage truck. Their deaths led to a city-wide walkout of sanitation workers. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in the sanitation workers' strike the intersection of civil rights and economic injustice. However, a march he led on March 28, which intended to be peaceful, turned violent due to the aggression of a group called the Invaders. The resulting chaos led to significant injuries and the death of a teenager, Larry Payne, at the hands of police officer Leslie Dean Jones. This violence brought Memphis under curfew and drew nearly 4,000 National Guardsmen to the city. Coretta Scott King would later lead a silent march that MLK had planned, drawing 40,000 participants.

MLK Aimed to Return to ...

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, remains one of the most tragic moments in American history, leading to nationwide mourning, the preservation of the site where it occurred, and ultimately, the establishment of the National Civil Rights Museum.

Mlk's Assassination: Details of April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Including Rifle Shot To Face and Neck

On this fateful day, King stepped onto the balcony of room 306 at the Lorraine Motel, a place he frequently stayed while in Memphis. At 6:01 p.m., he was shot in the face, specifically the chin and jaw area, as well as his neckline. The shot, believed to be fired from Bessie Brewer's boarding house across the street, was captured by a photograph that showed King's group pointing towards the origin of the shot following the incident. Despite being alive upon arrival at the hospital, King was pronounced dead approximately an hour later, at 7:05 p.m. An autopsy confirmed that the gunshot wound traversed the lower cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord, among other neck structures.

Suspicious Man Leaves Boarding House Across From Lorraine Motel With Possible Murder Weapon Bundle

Eyewitnesses at the boarding house reported seeing a man leave with a bundled suitcase and blanket, large enough to contain a rifle. Another witness observed a man dropping a bundled item that resembled a gun’s shape near the front door of a nearby store. Police found a .30-06 Remington 760 Game Master rifle, which had a unique pump action and was linked to the assassination. Residents of Bessie Brewer's boarding house later reported hearing someone repeatedly using the bathroom, and police found scuff marks in the bathtub that were consistent with someone standing to look out the window towards the Lorraine Motel balcony.

Aftermath of Mlk's Death: Mourning and Riots

Walter Cronkite solemnly announced MLK's death on CBS Nightly News as the nation reeled from the news. President Johnson declared a National Day of Mourning. Businesses closed, flags were lowered to half-staff, and the New York Stock Exchange halted trading on the day of MLK's funeral. The NBA and NHL rescheduled playoff games, and Major League Baseball saw games postponed as players like Roberto Clemente and Maury Wills refused to play out of respect for King.

Businesses, Sports Leagues, and Stock Exchange Shut Down to Honor Mlk; 100,000 Mourners Attended His Funeral Procession

MLK's ...