The assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, led to civil disorder and riots in 100 cities across the United States. One city where riots did not occur was Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis remained peaceful due in part to the work that began earlier that year when CRS provided conciliation services during a sanitation workers’ strike and met with African American community members, religious leaders, and gang members to prevent an escalation of violence during the strike.

Upon learning of the Reverend Dr. King’s death, CRS addressed the crowd that gathered to hear his speech planned for the night of April 4. CRS advised attendees to go home and refrain from protesting or committing any acts of violence. CRS also sought out African American gang members and urged them not to cause any civil disturbances. As a result of CRS’s action, Memphis avoided the types of violence that inflamed cities nationwide.

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