For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on the Death of Coretta Scott King
AFSCME joins the nation in mourning the death of Civil Rights' First Lady, Coretta Scott King.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while in Memphis, Tennessee, to support AFSCME sanitation workers who were striking to gain a voice at work. Coretta Scott King stood up during a time of grief and challenge to lead a march through the streets of Memphis in support of the striking workers.
During the 38 years following her husband's death, she established the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change and devoted herself to continuing the struggle for civil rights and economic justice. Mrs. King became an ambassador for men, women and children of all races as she traveled the world carrying a message of hope, peace, equality and non-violence.
Mrs. King established an important connection with our union. Not only did she march with our sanitation workers in Memphis, she also addressed AFSCME's 17th Annual Convention in 1968. Her topic: her husband and the noble work he did.
AFSCME is eternally grateful to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the ultimate sacrifice he made in Memphis in the fight for equality and to Coretta Scott King for keeping his dream alive.
Shortly after Dr. King's assassination, Mrs. King took part in
a Memphis march honoring him and supporting the AFSCME-led
strike of local sanitation workers. In the second row, in a light
raincoat and glasses, is then-AFSCME Pres. Jerry Wurf.
Also in 1968, Mrs. King, still in mourning attire, addressed
AFSCME's 17th Annual Convention in Bal Harbour, Fla.
