In February, 1968, 1300 Black sanitation workers of the city went on strike to protest dangerous working conditions (two workers had been crushed by a faulty collection truck) and calling for an end to racial discrimination. Their rallying slogan, “I Am a Man” spoke to their call for dignity and respect. National civil rights leaders came to Memphis to support their strike, including MLK on March 18th. Fully supporting the strike and its goals, he promised to return in a short time. His famous and prophetic “Mountaintop” speech was given here the night before his assassination.
