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| Martin Luther King remembered across US: 'The pain just won't go away' – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| This concludes the Guardian’s live coverage of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you for joining us. You can read our full report on the day’s events here. | |
| The bell at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis began ringing at 6:01pm local time – the time of King’s assassination – as the crowd fell silent. The bell was tolled 39 times in honor of King’s 39 years of life. | |
| Organizers asked for congregations and schools in Memphis, across the United States and around the world to participate in the bell ringing at 6:03, 6:05, and 6:07 respectively to symbolize the spreading of the news of King’s death. | |
| CBS News produced this video of bells tolling around the country. | |
| WATCH: Bells across the nation toll 39 times in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. pic.twitter.com/3rLuOJvkdP | |
| James Lawson, the architect of the civil rights movement’s nonviolence and the pastor who invited King to travel to Memphis for the sanitation strike, just offered a stirring call for today’s activists to pursue nonviolent struggles for justice. | James Lawson, the architect of the civil rights movement’s nonviolence and the pastor who invited King to travel to Memphis for the sanitation strike, just offered a stirring call for today’s activists to pursue nonviolent struggles for justice. |
| “It’s important to see Martin Luther King Jr not primarily as a civil rights person,” Lawson said, noting that “civil rights” is a political rather than moral term. “Martin Luther King Jr is the Moses or the Jesus of the 20th century.” | “It’s important to see Martin Luther King Jr not primarily as a civil rights person,” Lawson said, noting that “civil rights” is a political rather than moral term. “Martin Luther King Jr is the Moses or the Jesus of the 20th century.” |
| “Let’s remember that the problem in the United States is not the gun,” Lawson added, though he noted that he did not want to criticize student activists. “The problem is ‘we the people’ who continue to encourage a violent society, whether it is in Iraq, or whether it is homelessness, or 160m americans who wrestle with issue of homelessness. It is the violent culture that produced the guns.” | “Let’s remember that the problem in the United States is not the gun,” Lawson added, though he noted that he did not want to criticize student activists. “The problem is ‘we the people’ who continue to encourage a violent society, whether it is in Iraq, or whether it is homelessness, or 160m americans who wrestle with issue of homelessness. It is the violent culture that produced the guns.” |
| “Another Black Friday descended on the American people today. Once again a rifle with a telescopic sight snuffed out the life of a man devoted more than most to the peaceful issue of the Negro revolution.” | “Another Black Friday descended on the American people today. Once again a rifle with a telescopic sight snuffed out the life of a man devoted more than most to the peaceful issue of the Negro revolution.” |
| This was how Guardian journalist Alistair Cooke began his front-page report on the assassination of King on 5 April, 1968. | This was how Guardian journalist Alistair Cooke began his front-page report on the assassination of King on 5 April, 1968. |
| You can explore the Guardian’s archive of its coverage King’s death here. The articles provide an outside perspective on an American story, with the Guardian’s editorial board weighing in on “the racialist structure of the Southern economic and social system”, and the failure of “piece-meal legislation here and there” to change the economic conditions of most African Americans. | You can explore the Guardian’s archive of its coverage King’s death here. The articles provide an outside perspective on an American story, with the Guardian’s editorial board weighing in on “the racialist structure of the Southern economic and social system”, and the failure of “piece-meal legislation here and there” to change the economic conditions of most African Americans. |
| “Integration, in the sense that a few middle-class Negroes can now move out of the ghetto into the suburbs, into decent jobs, even into prestige positions, has clearly failed to alter things for the 90 percent who are left behind,” the leader reads. “Integration must now mean that Americans need to see their black brethren as a deprived group for whom massive economic aid is necessary.” | “Integration, in the sense that a few middle-class Negroes can now move out of the ghetto into the suburbs, into decent jobs, even into prestige positions, has clearly failed to alter things for the 90 percent who are left behind,” the leader reads. “Integration must now mean that Americans need to see their black brethren as a deprived group for whom massive economic aid is necessary.” |
| The editorial goes on to call for building low-income housing and schools in more affluent neighborhoods and for raising taxes on the middle class to “pay to cure the neglect of centuries of exploitation.” | The editorial goes on to call for building low-income housing and schools in more affluent neighborhoods and for raising taxes on the middle class to “pay to cure the neglect of centuries of exploitation.” |
| This is Julia Carrie Wong taking over our live coverage from Amanda Holpuch. | This is Julia Carrie Wong taking over our live coverage from Amanda Holpuch. |
| Reverend Jesse Jackson just spoke from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel where King was killed – and where Jackson was photographed with the civil rights leader shortly before the assassination. | Reverend Jesse Jackson just spoke from the balcony of the Lorraine Motel where King was killed – and where Jackson was photographed with the civil rights leader shortly before the assassination. |
| “It’s a bit difficult standing here today,” the 76 year-old said. “Every time the scab comes off the sore is still raw, the blood still oozes. This is the site of the crucifixion.” | “It’s a bit difficult standing here today,” the 76 year-old said. “Every time the scab comes off the sore is still raw, the blood still oozes. This is the site of the crucifixion.” |
| Jackson shared his recollection of the events leading up to King’s trip to Memphis, stating that the invitation to visit Memphis in support of the sanitation workers helped reinvigorate King after a period of depression. | Jackson shared his recollection of the events leading up to King’s trip to Memphis, stating that the invitation to visit Memphis in support of the sanitation workers helped reinvigorate King after a period of depression. |
| “From this balcony, we decided we would not let one bullet kill a movement,” Jackson said. “In 40 years, we went from the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel to the balcony of the White House. We never stopped fighting.” | “From this balcony, we decided we would not let one bullet kill a movement,” Jackson said. “In 40 years, we went from the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel to the balcony of the White House. We never stopped fighting.” |
| Jackson invoked the story of Easter in his speech and said that King lives on through continued struggles for justice. “When those children marched last week saying ‘Ban assault weapons’, he’s alive,” Jackson said. | Jackson invoked the story of Easter in his speech and said that King lives on through continued struggles for justice. “When those children marched last week saying ‘Ban assault weapons’, he’s alive,” Jackson said. |
| “No American president has the stature of Martin Luther King,” Jackson added. “He stands above all.” | “No American president has the stature of Martin Luther King,” Jackson added. “He stands above all.” |
| The Guardian’s Jamiles Lartey has spent the day at the rally and march in Memphis to commemorate King’s death. | The Guardian’s Jamiles Lartey has spent the day at the rally and march in Memphis to commemorate King’s death. |
| The I AM march brought together a diverse coalition of marchers through Memphis, where King travelled in 1968 to assist striking members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He was assassinated at the city’s Lorraine Motel on his second visit to the strikers. | The I AM march brought together a diverse coalition of marchers through Memphis, where King travelled in 1968 to assist striking members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He was assassinated at the city’s Lorraine Motel on his second visit to the strikers. |
| Near the head of the march, King’s son, Martin III locked arms with Reverend Al Sharpton and Lee Saunders, AFSCME president. Nearby, some sang standby protest songs from the civil rights era, including We Shall Overcome. | Near the head of the march, King’s son, Martin III locked arms with Reverend Al Sharpton and Lee Saunders, AFSCME president. Nearby, some sang standby protest songs from the civil rights era, including We Shall Overcome. |
| A few yards back, younger protesters who affiliated themselves with Black Lives Matter chanted “no justice, no peace.” They said they were marching to protest the deaths of young black men at the hands of law enforcement. | A few yards back, younger protesters who affiliated themselves with Black Lives Matter chanted “no justice, no peace.” They said they were marching to protest the deaths of young black men at the hands of law enforcement. |
| “I’m here for Stephon Clark,” said marcher Tiffany Evans, referring to the unarmed black man shot by Sacramento police last month. Evans travelled from Mississippi for the commemoration. | “I’m here for Stephon Clark,” said marcher Tiffany Evans, referring to the unarmed black man shot by Sacramento police last month. Evans travelled from Mississippi for the commemoration. |
| They're getting ready to step off here in Memphis to the tune of the Isley Brothers "Fight the Power". pic.twitter.com/Ax8M1Awywr | They're getting ready to step off here in Memphis to the tune of the Isley Brothers "Fight the Power". pic.twitter.com/Ax8M1Awywr |
| Most of the protesters were either union members or friends and family of union members, including Theone Hillard who came from New Orleans with her husband and son in support of the UNITE HERE, which primarily represents hospitality workers. “I’m here for the people who get paid the least amount of money, and get the least appreciation,” she said. | Most of the protesters were either union members or friends and family of union members, including Theone Hillard who came from New Orleans with her husband and son in support of the UNITE HERE, which primarily represents hospitality workers. “I’m here for the people who get paid the least amount of money, and get the least appreciation,” she said. |
| Hillard, a registered nurse, said the march made her want to get more engaged with organized labor moving forward. “I think all working people should have a union, because companies don’t always treat you like they should,” she said. | Hillard, a registered nurse, said the march made her want to get more engaged with organized labor moving forward. “I think all working people should have a union, because companies don’t always treat you like they should,” she said. |
| David Woods, a member of the BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union) said one of the reasons he marched is because what union workers were facing 50 years ago compared to now hasn’t changed very much. “What we’re facing today is still corporate greed and the woking man is only going to have a voice if we stand up and rise together,” he said. | David Woods, a member of the BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union) said one of the reasons he marched is because what union workers were facing 50 years ago compared to now hasn’t changed very much. “What we’re facing today is still corporate greed and the woking man is only going to have a voice if we stand up and rise together,” he said. |
| As the march pulled toward its end point, rounding the corner past a Checkers burger restaurant, the faint strains of the Trinity inspirational choir suddenly became audible. Marchers poured into an open field across from a Memphis High School to hear addresses from King III, Sharpton and other activists and clergy members. “50 years later, we’re not here to mourn, we’re here to recommit,” Sharpton said. “We’re here to let this nation know that Dr King didn’t die in vain... You may have taken the dreamer but you will not take the dream. We will march on!” | As the march pulled toward its end point, rounding the corner past a Checkers burger restaurant, the faint strains of the Trinity inspirational choir suddenly became audible. Marchers poured into an open field across from a Memphis High School to hear addresses from King III, Sharpton and other activists and clergy members. “50 years later, we’re not here to mourn, we’re here to recommit,” Sharpton said. “We’re here to let this nation know that Dr King didn’t die in vain... You may have taken the dreamer but you will not take the dream. We will march on!” |
| The King Center, a nonprofit established by Coretta Scott King, is today highlighting King’s speeches where he challenges the structures of power and how to respond to injustices. | The King Center, a nonprofit established by Coretta Scott King, is today highlighting King’s speeches where he challenges the structures of power and how to respond to injustices. |
| One of those speeches is The Other America: | One of those speeches is The Other America: |
| But we must see that the struggle today is much more difficult. It’s more difficult today because we are struggling now for genuine equality. It’s much easier to integrate a lunch counter than it is to guarantee a livable income and a good solid job. It’s much easier to guarantee the right to vote than it is to guarantee the right to live in sanitary, decent housing conditions. It is much easier to integrate a public park than it is to make genuine, quality, integrated education a reality. And so today we are struggling for something which says we demand genuine equality. | But we must see that the struggle today is much more difficult. It’s more difficult today because we are struggling now for genuine equality. It’s much easier to integrate a lunch counter than it is to guarantee a livable income and a good solid job. It’s much easier to guarantee the right to vote than it is to guarantee the right to live in sanitary, decent housing conditions. It is much easier to integrate a public park than it is to make genuine, quality, integrated education a reality. And so today we are struggling for something which says we demand genuine equality. |
| Longtime civil rights activist Bernard Lafayette was staying at the Lorraine Motel with King in 1968. At the rally, he was interviewed on stage, just in front of the rooms the two activists stayed in. | Longtime civil rights activist Bernard Lafayette was staying at the Lorraine Motel with King in 1968. At the rally, he was interviewed on stage, just in front of the rooms the two activists stayed in. |
| Lafayette said King told him: “Now Lafayette, the next movement we’re going to have is to internationalize and institutionalize non-violence.” | Lafayette said King told him: “Now Lafayette, the next movement we’re going to have is to internationalize and institutionalize non-violence.” |
| Lafayette explained that King wanted there to be an international movement of poor people using official non-violence training. | Lafayette explained that King wanted there to be an international movement of poor people using official non-violence training. |
| Lafayette told Reuters in 2009 that he had trained and certified more than 20,000 people in King’s six principles of nonviolence. He had also help set up 22 nonviolence centers in poor parts of the US and countries including Palestine and Nigeria. | Lafayette told Reuters in 2009 that he had trained and certified more than 20,000 people in King’s six principles of nonviolence. He had also help set up 22 nonviolence centers in poor parts of the US and countries including Palestine and Nigeria. |
| Historian Hasan Kwame Jeffries, an advisor to the National Civil Rights Museum, just took the stage. | Historian Hasan Kwame Jeffries, an advisor to the National Civil Rights Museum, just took the stage. |
| Jeffries began by reciting Carl Wendell Hines Jr’s poem A dead man’s dream: | Jeffries began by reciting Carl Wendell Hines Jr’s poem A dead man’s dream: |
| Dead men make such convenient heroes. | Dead men make such convenient heroes. |
| For they cannot rise to challenge the images | For they cannot rise to challenge the images |
| That we might fashion from their lives. | That we might fashion from their lives. |
| It is easier to build monuments | It is easier to build monuments |
| Than to build a better world. | Than to build a better world. |
| He, like other speakers before him, spoke about the parts of King’s legacy that are discussed less frequently, like his campaign against poverty, militarism and white supremacy. He said those issues are not commonly talked about, “in the interest of making him more palatable for some.” | He, like other speakers before him, spoke about the parts of King’s legacy that are discussed less frequently, like his campaign against poverty, militarism and white supremacy. He said those issues are not commonly talked about, “in the interest of making him more palatable for some.” |
| “Some people would have us believe Dr King would be appalled by the young people organizing,” Jeffries said, referring to Black Lives Matter and March For Our Lives protests that have occurred across the country in the nation. Jeffries said Dr King would have supported these demonstrations. | “Some people would have us believe Dr King would be appalled by the young people organizing,” Jeffries said, referring to Black Lives Matter and March For Our Lives protests that have occurred across the country in the nation. Jeffries said Dr King would have supported these demonstrations. |
| “The time has come for truth-telling,” he said. “And we all have a role to play in that.” | “The time has come for truth-telling,” he said. “And we all have a role to play in that.” |
| More from Jeffries here: | More from Jeffries here: |
| He was pilloried by liberals for not knowing his place – “stick to #civilrights,” they said – and he was excoriated by southern segregationists and northern #lawandorder conservatives for being a radical.@ProfJeffries on The Assassination of #MLK (https://t.co/9o3gopwfTT) pic.twitter.com/QzMdf503YH | He was pilloried by liberals for not knowing his place – “stick to #civilrights,” they said – and he was excoriated by southern segregationists and northern #lawandorder conservatives for being a radical.@ProfJeffries on The Assassination of #MLK (https://t.co/9o3gopwfTT) pic.twitter.com/QzMdf503YH |
| The Guardian’s editor-at-large, Gary Younge, wrote about how when King died in 1968, he was “well on the way to becoming a pariah.” | The Guardian’s editor-at-large, Gary Younge, wrote about how when King died in 1968, he was “well on the way to becoming a pariah.” |
| In 1966, twice as many Americans had an unfavourable opinion of him as a favourable one. Life magazine branded his anti-Vietnam war speech at the Riverside church, delivered exactly a year before his assassination, as “demagogic slander”, and “a script for Radio Hanoi”. Just a week before he was killed, he attended a demonstration in Memphis in support of striking garbage workers. The protest turned violent and police responded with batons and teargas, shooting a 16-year-old boy dead. The press and the political class rounded on King. The New York Times said the events were “a powerful embarrassment” to him. A column in the Dallas Morning News called King “the headline-hunting high priest of nonviolent violence” whose “road show” in Memphis was “like a torchbearer sprinting into a powder-house”. The Providence Sunday Journal called him “reckless and irresponsible”. He was back in Memphis supporting the strike when he was killed. | In 1966, twice as many Americans had an unfavourable opinion of him as a favourable one. Life magazine branded his anti-Vietnam war speech at the Riverside church, delivered exactly a year before his assassination, as “demagogic slander”, and “a script for Radio Hanoi”. Just a week before he was killed, he attended a demonstration in Memphis in support of striking garbage workers. The protest turned violent and police responded with batons and teargas, shooting a 16-year-old boy dead. The press and the political class rounded on King. The New York Times said the events were “a powerful embarrassment” to him. A column in the Dallas Morning News called King “the headline-hunting high priest of nonviolent violence” whose “road show” in Memphis was “like a torchbearer sprinting into a powder-house”. The Providence Sunday Journal called him “reckless and irresponsible”. He was back in Memphis supporting the strike when he was killed. |
| This was the last time King received national coverage when he was alive, and so he died a polarising and increasingly isolated figure. Just six days after his death, the Virginia congressman William Tuck blamed King for his own murder, telling the House of Representatives that King “fomented discord and strife between the races … He who sows the seed of sin shall reap and harvest a whirlwind of evil.” | This was the last time King received national coverage when he was alive, and so he died a polarising and increasingly isolated figure. Just six days after his death, the Virginia congressman William Tuck blamed King for his own murder, telling the House of Representatives that King “fomented discord and strife between the races … He who sows the seed of sin shall reap and harvest a whirlwind of evil.” |
| But in the intervening decades, the mud slung at him has been cleaned off and his legacy shined to make him resemble a national treasure. In the two years before his death, he did not appear in the Top 10 of Gallup’s poll of most admired men of the year. In 1999, a Gallup poll of the most admired people of the century placed him second behind Mother Teresa. In 2011, King’s memorial was opened on the National Mall in Washington DC, with a 30ft statue sitting on four acres of prime historic real estate: 91% of Americans (including 89% of white people) approved. Even Donald Trump has thus far refrained from besmirching his legacy, hailing just a few months ago King’s “legacy of equality, justice and freedom”. | But in the intervening decades, the mud slung at him has been cleaned off and his legacy shined to make him resemble a national treasure. In the two years before his death, he did not appear in the Top 10 of Gallup’s poll of most admired men of the year. In 1999, a Gallup poll of the most admired people of the century placed him second behind Mother Teresa. In 2011, King’s memorial was opened on the National Mall in Washington DC, with a 30ft statue sitting on four acres of prime historic real estate: 91% of Americans (including 89% of white people) approved. Even Donald Trump has thus far refrained from besmirching his legacy, hailing just a few months ago King’s “legacy of equality, justice and freedom”. |
| US congresswoman Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, just concluded speaking at the Lorraine Motel. | US congresswoman Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, just concluded speaking at the Lorraine Motel. |
| Lee is best known for being the only person in Congress to vote against the Afghanistan war. | Lee is best known for being the only person in Congress to vote against the Afghanistan war. |
| Seventeen years after being the lone dissenting voice in that Congressional vote, Lee maintained her opposition to the authorization, and more broadly towards militarism and war. | Seventeen years after being the lone dissenting voice in that Congressional vote, Lee maintained her opposition to the authorization, and more broadly towards militarism and war. |
| “It was a blank check,” Lee said of the authorization bill. “It set the stage for perpetual war.” | “It was a blank check,” Lee said of the authorization bill. “It set the stage for perpetual war.” |
| “We must bring these forever wars to an end in Dr King’s name,” Lee said. | “We must bring these forever wars to an end in Dr King’s name,” Lee said. |
| She then quoted from a 1967 King speech about the Vietnam War, which he opposed: “The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. They destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.” | She then quoted from a 1967 King speech about the Vietnam War, which he opposed: “The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. They destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.” |
| The rally in Memphis is underway and scheduled speakers include 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, five members of the of the congressional Black caucus, members of clergy and leadership from most of the major American unions. | The rally in Memphis is underway and scheduled speakers include 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, five members of the of the congressional Black caucus, members of clergy and leadership from most of the major American unions. |
| They're singing "We shall overcome" and "Lift Every Voice" at the front of the #IAm2018 March. #MLK50. A few rows back MLK III is walking arms linked with Al Sharpton and AFSCME president Lee Saunders. pic.twitter.com/YmnJdYu5jr | They're singing "We shall overcome" and "Lift Every Voice" at the front of the #IAm2018 March. #MLK50. A few rows back MLK III is walking arms linked with Al Sharpton and AFSCME president Lee Saunders. pic.twitter.com/YmnJdYu5jr |
| Sanitation workers introduced to crowd as heroes #MLK50 pic.twitter.com/2gF9rg8XU6 | Sanitation workers introduced to crowd as heroes #MLK50 pic.twitter.com/2gF9rg8XU6 |
| Aside from the rally and march, the city of Memphis is virtually shut down for various commemoration events that are happening all over the city. The National Civil Rights Museum, which was built within the Lorraine Motel, where King died, is hosting an all-day gathering with performances, speeches and an “evening of storytelling”. | Aside from the rally and march, the city of Memphis is virtually shut down for various commemoration events that are happening all over the city. The National Civil Rights Museum, which was built within the Lorraine Motel, where King died, is hosting an all-day gathering with performances, speeches and an “evening of storytelling”. |
| The activist Jesse Jackson, who was with King on the evening he was killed, is scheduled to be in attendance, as is the Atlanta congressman John Lewis, who spoke at King’s 1963 march on Washington, when the civil rights leader gave his I Have A Dream speech. | The activist Jesse Jackson, who was with King on the evening he was killed, is scheduled to be in attendance, as is the Atlanta congressman John Lewis, who spoke at King’s 1963 march on Washington, when the civil rights leader gave his I Have A Dream speech. |