40 Years Later, MLK Murder Still Haunting

For Those Who Witnessed Assassination, Revisiting Memphis Is "Still A Lot To Take"

(CBS/AP)  It was 40 years ago that Martin Luther King Jr. collapsed on a motel balcony, dying from a gunshot. But for those who were there with him, the crack of the rifle has barely faded.

"Sometimes there are playbacks in my head," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a former King aide. "I see him talking and laughing and going to dinner.

"All of a sudden," he said with a clap of his hands, "it was over."

Jackson joined the Rev. Billy Kyles, a Memphis pastor, at the site of the assassination recently to talk to The Associated Press about April 4, 1968, the day King died.

Kyles was a few feet from King on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel when the bullet struck. Jackson was below, joking with King about going to dinner at Kyles' house.

Then King fell, and panic ensued.

"Blood was everywhere," Kyles said. "The nightmare was that I was awake. This really was happening."

CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports that thousands were due in Memphis to commemorate King's achievements on Friday and to re-dedicate themselves to his life's work.

King was in Memphis helping lead a strike by city sanitation workers. The civil rights leader had shifted his focus to helping the working poor of all races and opposing the Vietnam War, which was stirring up a whole new wave of enemies, Jackson said.

"He is a beloved man today, but a hated man when he was killed," Jackson said.

King had hoped to lead a peaceful protest march with the garbage workers as a sort of dress rehearsal for the Poor People's Campaign he was preparing to take to Washington.

But a march through downtown Memphis on March 28 fell apart when small groups of unruly protesters and looters began breaking store windows. Police rushed in with nightsticks and tear gas leaving many of the marchers - the peaceful and unruly alike - bruised and bloodied.

King, whose career was built on nonviolent opposition to the powerful, was accused of hypocrisy and of having lost control of his followers. Doubts were raised over his ability to lead the Poor People's Campaign.

King was warned he could be in physical danger if he returned to Memphis, Jackson said, but he came back anyway vowing to lead a second march, this one peaceful.

He did, and Coley Jackson, one of the original Memphis sanitation workers who participated in the last march King would ever lead, told Whitaker their strike for a living wage and better treatment from supervisors who would call them "boy" was floundering, until the civil rights icon took up their cause.

"He said freedom is never given by the oppressor. It must be won by the oppressed," Jackson told Whitaker.

In his last public address, King told a packed house at Mason Temple in Memphis that he had been to the mountaintop and 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," he shouted to thunderous applause. "And I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man."

The "mountaintop speech" on April 3 and King's apparent reference to the possibility of an early death showed he was under more stress than even those closest to him had realized.

"We had no way of knowing how much pain ... he was internalizing. How much more he knew than we knew about the threats," Jackson said. "But his courage rose above the threats."

The following day, King and his associates mostly stayed in their rooms at the Lorraine. The conversations were light, "just cracking jokes and having fun," Jackson said.

About 6 p.m. the group prepared to go to dinner.

"I said, guys, come on let's go. We have a rally after dinner," Kyles said. "I turned and walked away, got a few steps, a few feet, and that's when I heard the shot."

The .30-caliber bullet hit King in the jaw, severed his jugular vein and spine and knocked him to his back.

There was little anyone could do but cover him with a blanket and wait for the ambulance. Jackson went into one of the rooms and called King's wife, Coretta Scott King, telling her she had better come to Memphis.

Jackson, seen at left, said he told her King was shot in a shoulder, though it was obvious he was mortally wounded. "I just couldn't say it," he said.

James Earl Ray, a career criminal and prison escapee from Missouri, confessed to killing King and drew 99 years in prison. Numerous conspiracy theories have cropped up over the years, but none has been proven. Ray died in prison in 1998.

It's unlikely Ray could have killed King alone, Jackson said, and King's vilification by the FBI and other champions of the status quo had created a dangerous emotional climate that lead to the murder.

"He was trying to live in peace and they just blew him away," Jackson said. "They didn't have to kill him."

Jackson's voice began to break as he talked with Kyles on the Lorraine's balcony.

"I don't come back much. It's a lot to take," Jackson said, his eyes growing wet. "It's still a lot to take."

Whitaker said presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain were scheduled to join civil rights leaders and citizens, including the former sanitation workers, at events in Memphis on Friday.

[gce65]

Lots of unanswered questions as well. As with many other events of that era, I don''t think the American public believes in the lone gunman theory. How did James Earl Ray, a petty ex-con, get the $ to evade the police and suddenly flee the US and head to Great Britain?

[gce65]

Oaky, maybe not a petty ex-con, but a prison escapee. Still, he had to have help...but that''ll never be addressed. Closed case. Lone gunman. No one else.
Yeah, right!

[krg12171936]

Probably one of the best ever feats to happen.
MLK was nothing more than a Comunist and trouble maker.
He should have been drowned at birth and this country would have been a lot better off.
We sure would not be in the shape that we are in today. With all the welfare,and overcrowded prisons and other give away programs that is here today.

[rushlimpdrug]

MLK, da fatha'' of rap music.

[runningralph]

Dr. King was a great orator. He tried to lead blacks away from the low down life. Obama is in that mold. The problem is that taxpayers are leading poor people in the opposite direction with welfare. Dr. King wanted his people to be respected and that hope is still echoed by leading black activists. But as long as there such huge numbers of them collecting welfare and committing crimes, (70% illegitimate birth rate, 20% plus incarceration between 18 and 40) there will not be much respect from taxpayers. Personally, I am very fond of many of them, but I am daily confronted with more examples of the low down life.

[rushlimpdrug]

"Dr. King was a great orator.
He tried to lead blacks away from the low down life.
Obama is in that mold.
The problem is that taxpayers are leading poor people
" in the opposite direction with welfare. . "
Posted by runningralph at 07:44 AM


What? ? ?
The taxpayers are leading poor people . . . " ???

Really?
Sounds like more obama oratory krap.

[sblake63]

After reading on CNN and King wanted to expand his influence way beyond civil rights and "shut down" washing DC by having 1000''s of poor people build a "shanty town" as a protest of poverty, I have 2nd thoughts about this man. He wanted to force the government to redistribute wealth to the poor which is about as un-American as communism. Perhaps Hoover had a point and a good reason to have this man wire tapped and watched 24x7. He had WAY more on mind than civil rights.

[sblake63]

Lots of unanswered questions as well. As with many other events of that era, I don''''t think the American public believes in the lone gunman theory. How did James Earl Ray, a petty ex-con, get the $ to evade the police and suddenly flee the US and head to Great Britain?


Posted by gce65 at 05:00 AM : Apr 04, 2008

_____________________

Ohhh noooo not another one of these nuts! But of course, he had help from outer space hahahaha :)

[runningralph]

rushlimpdrug,
You say I sound like Obama. Really? I am stating the case for stopping welfare. Has Obama said the taxpayers should stop paying out welfare? If so, I will vote for him. But I haven''t heard anything from him on this subject. Please reply.

[rushlimpdrug]

"The problem is that taxpayers are leading poor people in the opposite direction with welfare. . . "
Posted by runningralph at 07:44 AM


I don''t understand that statement.
It is the black people going in that direction.
Religious and political leaders say purty things
but it is all about control.
Yes, I know MLK meant well, but power corrupts.
Jessee proved that.
The taxpayers have nothing to do with what you are saying.
obama would never say what you said because he KNOWS that is his base.
That is where his money is coming from, period.

[reddiwhip33]

I was in Memphis last fall and part of our tour was the Lorraine Motel. Do you know that a woman that cleaned rooms there when MLK was shot still protests there today. She says that MLK wouldnt want people coming there taking pictures and making a big scene. She sits on the corner there and has a little set up with signs and waves to passers by. We were told that in the begining she would stay there all day every day. She now is there everyday for so many hours...how do you suppose she is making a living?

[runningralph]

rushlimpdrug,
Thanks for the reply. I didn''t think I sounded like Obama. As for the taxpayers leading poor people, it is the taxpayers who pay for welfare. We get what we pay for. If we didn''t pay for it there would be none.

[perceptions5]

MLK Jr. was a great Lincoln Republican.

And he would probalby fall to his knees and weep if he saw what is and has been happening for DECADES AND GENERATIONS now in America''s "deep blue one-party" cities around this great country.

Black Americans are so far worst off today from the neglect and poor social programs that were generated to help, but have failed badly.

The Republican Party, that was born as the anti-slavery party in the 1850''s is powerless to help those Black Amerians suffering in our deep blue one-party cities.

Folks need to ask themselves how this could happen?

Where''s the Social Justice in our "deep blue one-party cities"?

When will the innocent Black children that are "consigned" to their parts of these deep blue cities get an EDUCATION?

...............Oh the humanity......

[dsr57]

Black Americans are so far worst off today from the neglect and poor social programs that were generated to help, but have failed badly

Posted by perceptions5

----------------------------------------------------

You need to stop..think... And then say to yourself. How did I EEVER type something so untrue and stupid

[pugster]

Obama should be thankful of MLK that blacks has gotten good opportunities because of his movement. When Ferraro said that Obama wouldn''t get where he is because he is black, his camp call her a racist. The problem is not blacks are oppressed by white people, it is black people oppressing themselves.

[mudrose-2009]

To hear him one would shudder down to the bone. He spoke from the heart and he spoke for all mankind. He spoke the Truth with courage and moral authority. There will never be another like him in our lifetime -never. His words resonated - they spoke to the Soul. God gave Martin His Voice and Martin sang his praises. Bless You Always Rev. King.

[mkbjon]

Black Americans are so far worst off today from the neglect and poor social programs that were generated to help, but have failed badly.
Posted by perceptions5

In a lot of ways, that is true. But there is another segment of the Black population that is doing quite well. The media doesn''t exactly get good ratings by showing the positive side, and that can skewer the perception of the group as a whole. The truth is that any self-destructive group of people---black, white, or otherwise---will "weed" (no pun intended) themselves out of the equation eventually.

[consciousnes]

Why can''t prople get over this? Yes, it happened, yes, it was terrible. The fallout from it has caused pain not only in the black community but also among whites. Because of "Reactionary" laws that were passed MANY low and middle class whites have been discriminated against because of their color, or should I say lack of color. Since that period of time it has been easier for a black man to get a job and get promoted than a white man and a black woman is more than twice as apt to get ahead, if she isn''t too lazy to get up and go to work on a regular basis.
Let''s start treating people, ALL PEOPLE like they should be treated, with respect and with the expectation that they are willing to provide for themselves instead of expecting everthing handed to them. Remember? YES Move on? WITHOUT A DOUBT.

[kittybud420]

When Dr. King was assassinated, I was one month from my seventh birthday. A precocious child, I devoured news from the television and newspapers as if knowledge of the disparities between truth and reality might be revealed.

That night I was at my grandmother''s house as the news flashed across the screen. When I ran into the living room to tell my parents, my father said "I''m glad they shot him". (not an exact quote) That was when I confirmed my suspicions that my father was a total racist, and I was confused. Such a great and peaceful man!- how could someone celebrate his death?

In reading some of the comments this morning, it''s apparent that quite a few readers think the loss of Dr. King is something to be happy about. Of course, we all have our opinions and mine is such-

A new day is dawning in America. Barack Obama has a handle on what''s really going down in this country and how we, as a united people can change the status quo. It''s well past time for us to communicate with one another of old wounds and of forgiveness. Shoulder to shoulder we must move our beloved America out of the quaqmire and resolutely into a new age. Putting hate aside, as Dr. King did, is the key. Without love and recognition that we are all equal in the eyes of the universe, we will destroy ourselves.

God rest your soul Dr. King. I''m forever indebted to your memory which taught me what selfless love for others really means. It''s my dream too!

love & ~peace~

[nolalou]

Posted by krg12171936 , you ignorance and outright hatred is hard to understand. M.L. King was not perfect, nobody is, but his cause was more than justified. He lived when there were separate drinking fountains for black & white, where blacks were prevented or discouraged from voting, denied jobs, had to stay in black only hotels, etc. For you to say he should have been drowned at birth only proves what a heartless IDIOT you are! I could say you should have been drowned at birth, but that would make me as much of an animal as you are!

[barbaraf4]

I think we can all agree that Dr. King''s murder was the best thing that ever happened to Jesse Jackson. He has a career and wealth for being on that balcony. If King was his hero, it makes you wonder why he is such an advocate of hate.

[gunownerdan]

Sorry but Jesse Jackson is NOT and WILL NEVER BE another Martin Luther King Jr.

[lekniw]

We celebrate Martin Luther King on his birthday, and now another full newsday to mark the anniversary of his death. A great man yes, but what other fallen leader has 2 news days devoted to him? Enough, move on to what is happening now and solutions.

[mkbjon]

Because of "Reactionary" laws that were passed MANY low and middle class whites have been discriminated against because of their color, or should I say lack of color. Since that period of time it has been easier for a black man to get a job and get promoted than a white man and a black woman is more than twice as apt to get ahead, if she isn''''t too lazy to get up and go to work on a regular basis.
Posted by Consciousnes at 09:30 AM

You must be referencing affirmative action laws, which also protect women--of any color. It is estimated that a small percentage of people actually report having been adversely affected by these laws. When you take a look at the private sector, keep in mind that a recent Columbia Study revealed that white men with a criminal history were more likely to be hired for a job than a black man with similar qualifications and NO criminal history applying for that same job. On another note, I do find your poorly veiled antipathy towards Black women overgeneralized and offensive, being that I happen to be a member of that group.

[usbrit-2009]

To hear him one would shudder down to the bone. He spoke from the heart and he spoke for all mankind. He spoke the Truth with courage and moral authority. There will never be another like him in our lifetime -never. His words resonated - they spoke to the Soul. God gave Martin His Voice and Martin sang his praises. Bless You Always Rev. King.

Posted by mudrose

Once in a while mudrose you really surprise me. We''re usually at the opposite ends of the spectrum but this is very well said.

[cheddarboy82]

Jesse jackson sucks. That''s all.

[jahfi1]

Can we all just get along! Dr King....MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

[jahfi1]

Can we all just get along!
Dr King....MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Jahfi for all people.....One love

[photogeezer]

I was in Viet Nam when I heard about Dr. King being assassinated. The sergeant in charge of the night shift on the radios said King was "just a troublemaker anyway, and it was about time".

40 years later I thank my little cracker sergeant for jarring awake my awareness with his stupid, crude remark. M.L. King was right about the Viet Nam war, right about war in general, right to encourage non-violence, and right to encourage dialogue on race in America.

[realpatriot1]

muddie,

Well said, my friend!!!

We''ve all witnessed this year that although America has come a long way largely due to the moral leadership of Dr. KIng that we still have growing pains to overcome on the road to his dream.

But we''ve overcome a lot and we''re getting there.

God blessed America with Dr. King.

[cheddarboy82]

Why do we have to hear about mlk so much ? We celebrate his life way to much.

[mistered9]

People of color don''t seem to understand that there are white folks just as underprivlaged as blacks.
I don''t understand why every street in our toen has to be named MLK Blvd
I always heard tha fools names and fools faces aways appear in public places. Well, let''s get on with it. The Color voters only agree 65% that we need a black Presidentand &*% white. Does that mean Color people are smarter or men are just being threatened by Women leading our Counrty. Seeing the past Eight years I''m possitive they could do better.

[realpatriot1]

mistered9,

Dr. KIng didn''t just fight for the rights of blacks. He fought for the rights of poor whites as well.

[Renegade.Rivers]

All the praise in the world will not make MLK the man that he is idolized as being. If one studies the true history of MLK and his actions, they will quickly come to realize just how he was backed and supported by the American Communist party from his very early days. He was never the writer and orator that he is so claimed to be, because many of speeches and writing were plagiarized from other writers and speakers. You who believe otherwise have been duped.

Organizations like the NAACP, and programs like equal opportunity and welfare have done the black man no real favors. Instead what it has done, is make the black man look less likely to succeed, and more needing of %u201Chelp%u201D in order to succeed. This in itself has put a mark against the black man because of that insinuation. It has been my experience that when a man no matter what his race and color is, is given a fair and equal chance, that his success or failure is based on his motivation, and not his color or race. As long as we as Americans are willing to be %u201Ccolorized%u201D, and classified by the color of our skin, and the supposed race that we belong to, ours will never be the great nation that we want and strive for. As long as we allow those in power who desire to separate us, and divide us, to do so, we will remain weak, and ineffective in our efforts to overcome them.

[olebd]

I wonder how he would be regarded today had he not been killed? My guess would be the same way most people feel about Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. His death has caused his fame to increase greatly much like other celebrities who are killed or die in their prime.

[taylor2124]

The reason why we hear about MLK way too much is that he''s the only decent leader black people have had in the last 100 years. Look at the complete losers otherwise they have had to deal with: Malcolm X(radical and crazy), Al Sharpton(racist, race-baiter, ambulance chaser, entitled), Jesse Jackson(race-baiter, skirt-chaser, racist, entitled), Louis Farrakhan(racist, hates whites and Jews, crazy, Muslim). Again and again, every black leader has been an embarrassment to the black community and this country. MLK was only one who actually(at least from a public sense) seemed to have some nobility, decency, and class.

[prinzowhales]

None of the conspiracy theories have been proven?... Ray confessed under duress and was promised to be spared the death penalty...members of his family were threatened with prosecution and death if he did not cooperate in his own prosecution.

Robert, John, Martin...Three murders...Three patsies...

[usbrit-2009]

renrivers - what''s your real name - MacCarthy? I''m surprised you had the nerve to post that swill, even under a pseudonym.

[webama]

What a great blessing was it for America having once one like MLK.

Everlasting rest to beloved King.

[noloyalisti]

I am glad that we now realize what a great man MLK was. He was dangerous to the white conservative corporate establishment (military industrial complex) so he had to be eradicated by the powers that be.

Fortunately, we now recognize his martyrdom by honoring his greatness, naming streets after him. I would like to see more mainstream coverage of why his ideals are just as important (more) in this time of immigrant hate, illegal and immoral occupation, and fascism in America.

[gheemaster38]

AHHH! The same ones with the negative comments will swear in a public forum that they have "black/white/other friends." I wonder how many times have these "friends" been invited over for dinner or just to hang out?

[dylanxxv]

He was nothing more than a pest with a big mouth...

[usbrit-2009]

Posted by DylanXXV

Your infinitely more intelligent folk-singing namesake would disagree.

[vmcneal2]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK THE CURRENT BLACK LEADERS ARE SO BAD JUST THINK ABOUT THIS.

YOU HAVE LILLY WHITE PRICK "SO" CHENEY AND HIS WHITE PUPPET BUSH TO BE PROUD OF. THESE TWO AND THE REST OF THEIR WHITE FRIENDS HAVE WRECKED THIS COUNTRY. THESE WHITE PEOPLE HAVE US IN A BLODDY WAR THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9/11. SO FAR THE ACTIONS OF THESE WHITE PEOPLE HAVE COST US OVER 4,000 AMERICAN DEATHS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS COMMING HOME FROM IRAQ WITH MISSING ARMS AND LEGS ETC. THE DOLLAR COST OF ALL OF THIS IS IN BILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.

THESE WHITE LEADERS HAVE PUT OUR ECONOMY IN A NOSE DIVE. 80,000 AMERICANS LOST THEIR JOBS LAST MONTH, AND HARD WORKING AMERICANS ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES. AND WHAT DO THE WHITE LEADERS DO...BAIL OUT THE RICH WHITE BANKERS AND GIVE A BIG FU*CK YOU TO THE PEOPLE BEING KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON AND SOME OF YOU WANT TO WASTE TIME BASING JESSIE JACKSON, AL SHARPTON, AND A OLD RETIRED BLACK PREACHER REV WRIGHT. NONE OF WHOM HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE REAL PROBLEMS WE FACE.

SO WAVE THE FLAG, WEAR A LAPEL PIN, TALK ABOUT AL SAHRPTON WHILE YOU TAKE IT IN THE REAR BY THE GREAT "WHITE" LEADERS

[Renegade.Rivers]

renrivers - what''''s your real name - MacCarthy? I''''m surprised you had the nerve to post that swill, even under a pseudonym. Posted by USBrit

Swill? Who are you? It may take nerve to print the truth, but the truth remains the truth. If you don''t believe what I say is the truth then I suggest you do your on research, and discover just how truthful my statements are. I stand by what I say without fear or regret. Just because I don''t follow the sheep, and believe what the MSM spews on their airwaves, does not mean that I am either bad, or misinformed. I personally lived through the unrest of the 50''s and 60''s and know first hand what was reported in some of the best newspapers of the time, when reporters actually did do investigative reporting. If you desire to be misinformed, and believe what todays MSM continually spews, that is your choice. After all, ignorance is bliss.

[Renegade.Rivers]

By the way Brit, I challenge you to show documentation that will prove what I stated is untrue. I have read and studied history for over 35 years, I stand by what I say, because I don''t spew "swill," I just state the facts.

[dylanxxv]

Posted by DylanXXV

Your infinitely more intelligent folk-singing namesake would disagree.

Posted by USBrit at 03:04 PM : Apr 04, 2008


As if I care what he thinks...You just go about thinking your dead hero is some kind of god...I''ll remember him as a fool and as an idiot...His last march was marred by what? Riots and looting? Yep...Them black folk were looting and running wild in the streets...

[jlwesley]

I am sorry that MLK was killed, but no more than if anyone else was killed under the same circumstance. There is however no reason to name a holiday to honor someone so responsible for division in this country even if he had a dream, there is no reason to continue to celebrate him other than to placate his followers or those that profess to be his followers, MLK was a law breaker, maybe not just laws, but laws non the less, he incited his followers to break laws, riot, and in all ways disobey civil authority, he endorsed and in fact promoted anarchy. His actions gave his followers an undeserved sense of entitlement which only served to drive an even bigger wedge between the races which continues to this day and to turn his followers into the one thing that he professed loudly to oppose, racists.

I find it totally unacceptable that someone of John McCains caliber should stoop to pandering to the blacks in this country I had hoped he would have more back bone than that.

[cattlekate]

posted by wesleyjl at 10:41 PM : Apr 04, 2008

uh. uhm. okay. Thank you for your thoughts.

I remember things differently. Guess ''cuz I am old and Was There.

The most troubling, and enlightening, movie I rented in the last year was "Weatherman." It does tell the tale of Then.

[kailumego1]

M.L.K. was a "great man", with all his faults, Malcolm X was a "great man", also, however, whites like to compare the two favoring King over Malcolm X, because he stood for nonviolence, when in reality it would be Malcolm X''''s message they would have adhere too if the shoe had been on the other foot.

The only reason white America has accepted king or his message, because it''''s of "nonviolence", which is oxymoronic of their own beliefs towards survival/defense of violent aggression, e.g. the Civil War, the infamous riots, the Cold War, the Iraq War, etc.

White America pontificates how King was great, while pointing out his stance on non-violence, because this directly affected them, when, however, many felt King was a communist, a law-breaker, a racist, etc.

What an oxymoron white Americans are!

King spoke harshly about the Vietnam War and white America''''s ignorance and arrogance towards the people of Africa and Asia, as being obstacles of imperialism.

King was assassinated by the "U.S. government, e.g J.Edger Hoover" and "Capitalist warmongers", for bringing white and black proletariats together in arms against wage exploitation, which he paid dearly with his life, and all you neofascist racists can muster is I liked him because he stood for "nonviolence".