AFSCME Honors the Dream

In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. traveled to Memphis, Tenn., to support sanitation workers who were striking in an effort to force the city to recognize their union, AFSCME Local 1733.

In January, Sec.-Treas. Lee A. Saunders toured the construction site with Harry E. Johnson, president and CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. (Photo credit: Rick Reinhard)

Washington, DC

Honoring the Dream

In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. traveled to Memphis, Tenn., to support sanitation workers who were striking in an effort to force the city to recognize their union, AFSCME Local 1733. These 1,300 public service workers were protesting a long history of mistreatment.

The evening of April 3, Dr. King delivered his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech to a packed room of strikers and supporters. The next day, he was assassinated.

Just as Dr. King stood with us, we pay homage to him as we continue the fight for social and economic justice. AFSCME raised more than $1 million toward the creation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Set for dedication later this year, Sec.-Treas. Lee A. Saunders recently visited the construction site of this architectural milestone.

Soon, visitors from all over the world will be able to see this historic landmark. AFSCME is proud to be part of this initiative.