New photography by Ed Pollard captured with a digital camera-2006.

Supporters Assemble to Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. After His Assassination

Artist Benedict J. Fernandez (American, b. 1936)

DateApril 6, 1968

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsOverall, Image: 8 1/8 × 12 1/8 in. (20.6 × 30.8 cm)
Overall: 10 7/8 × 14 in. (27.6 × 35.6 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 1/16 × 24 in. (51 × 61 cm)

ClassificationsCivil Rights Movement

Credit LineGift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl

Object number97.17.2

Terms

Men
Marchers
gathering
Civil Rights
African American
Black
White
Memphis, TN

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThis gelatin silver print depicts two men, in Memphis, Tennessee, April 6, 1968, at a mass gathering of supporters assembled to honor Dr. Martin Luther King. The man at left (who is Caucasian) hold a sign that reads: "Honor King: End Racism!" and the man at right (who is African American) holds a sign that reads: "Union Justice Now!".

Label TextSupporters assembled to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. after his assassination., Memphis, Tennessee, April 6, 1968 Gelatin-silver print, ca. 1989 Gift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl 97.17.2 King went to Memphis to help lead sanitation workers in a protest strike against low wages and intolerable working conditions. On April 3 he spoke at the Mason Temple, World Headquarters of the Church of God in Christ. This oration seemed to foretell his assassination the following day: We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really 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. Longevity has its place. 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 seen 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! Approval Date: 09/2008