A Change Shall Overcome In 1968, while preparing for his march to Washington lobby in congress , King and other SCLC(Southern Christian Leadership Conference) ,members were called to Memphis because they knew that the sanitation workers' were on a strike and they wanted to show their full support. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave, would be his final speech, on April 3, 1969 at Mason Temple in Memphis Tennessee. In his speech he seemed to predict his own death, ending his speech with these legendary words and I quote, “Like anybody I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that right now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked…show more content… King brought out the worst of the black community. His death robbed America of their most vigorous spokesman for moderation and integration, and there was no sign that anyone could've taken his place. The worst reactions occurred in Durham which ranged from violent to peaceful after the assassination of Dr. King. The next day several hundred marched peacefully peacefully from Fayetteville street through Downtown to rally city hall . But of course the peace didn't last. At least 13 fires were reported in the city on April 6th which were said to be set by local arsonists. National Guardsmen were immediately called to protect the citizens from the violent rioters who were throwing rocks. Authorities in that city set a curfew of 7am-to- 6pm, but still seven more fires were reported the following night…show more content… King's assassination were acts of violence. The Silent Vigil was organized by the students at Duke University. Approximately, 450 students from Duke University marched to University's president's home on April 5, 1969. According to www.learnnc.org the students had four demands: 1. the resignation of the university's president, Douglass M. Knight from Hope Valley Country Club which was, at that time, segregated; 2. that he call for a day of mourning for the late Dr. King through a signed newspaper ad asking authorities to do all they can to bring out racial equality and freedom; 3. that he demand for the employees of Duke University to received a minimum-wage increase of $1.60; 4. "and lastly that a committee to study collective bargaining and union organizing at the university be appointed by Knight. The protesters' crowd increased to include about 1,500 employees, faculty members, and students of Duke University. They all sat in a silent protest around the clock for five consecutive days. Seventy-seven local citizens and employees' united to call for a sympathy strike. Eventually, the university's board of trustees pledged to meet the minimum wage demanded by the protesters and agreed to form the collective bargaining study group as well. Before the protesters went up to speak, some of the board members joined together with the demonstrators to sing the spiritual song, "We Shall Overcome.
