A Call to Action: Why April 4 Matters

Forty-three years ago, in Memphis, a long struggle for human rights and human dignity ended in the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it brought economic justice and the respect that all people deserve to 1,300 city sanitation workers.

In February 1968, 1,300 city sanitation workers, all African-Americans, decided the city’s mistreatment and racism had to end. For two months, they walked the picket line, held sit-ins at City Hall and stood together for their human dignity and human rights. “I am a Man,” entitled to the same dignity and courtesy that all people deserve, was their message. 

Dr. King had been to Memphis and marched with the workers earlier, along with other civil rights, religious and union activists. And at one point, it seemed as though the City Council was ready to recognize their union and finally bargain a real contract. But that was a lie.

On April 3, Dr. King again joined workers and their supporters, ready to march the next day. That evening, he delivered a speech to 7,500 people at Mason Temple that so eloquently spoke of the right to human dignity, and that sadly, predicted King’s own death.

“Now we’re going to march again and we’ve got to march again, in order to put the issue where it is supposed to be. And force everybody to see that there are 1,300 of God’s children here suffering, sometimes going hungry, going through dark and dreary nights wondering how this thing is going to come out. That’s the issue. And we’ve got to say to the nation: we know it’s coming out. For when people get caught up with that which is right, and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.”

He ended with this:

“I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life…But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve send the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.” 

King was assassinated on April 4.

That’s why on April 4 this year we will stand together across this country for those same human rights and human dignity for working men and women. We will remember the courage and determination of Dr. King and those 1,300 workers who endured assault and arrest as they walked a picket line for two months, as we stand with public workers whose bargaining rights are under attack, with private workers who can’t get bargaining rights, and against those politicians and their allies who want to silence our political voice.

We won’t be silenced.

The Memphis sanitation workers’ demands were dignity and respect; a living wage; and the right to have a union. Today, working people still look to these basic human rights. In state after state, we have seen an assault on public workers and a demand by an unfair government to strip workers of their rights. We see private sector workers harassed and fired when they pursue bargaining rights. We see governments eager to do the bidding of wealthy campaign contributors and to weaken the voice of millions of working and middle class families.   

The fight for dignity and workers rights that began this year in Wisconsin and spread to Ohio, New Jersey, Missouri, New Hampshire and so many other states goes on. We honor Dr. King with our determination to stay in the struggle to the end. Across the nation, on April 4, 2011, at community vigils, teach-ins, public rallies, workplace demonstrations and other events, we will stand together, and unite and win.