President Utano Statement on the 50th Anniversary Of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Today the 43,000 members of TWU Local 100 join all Americans of good will in marking the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther’s King’s death on April 4, 1968 as he fought for the dignity of striking sanitation workers in Memphis. As we honor Dr. King’s great legacy, let us all in TWU commit ourselves to redoubling our efforts for equality in our workplaces and in society at large not just for our own brothers and sisters in TWU, but for people across America and throughout the world.

Dr. King’s final speech on April 3, 1968 where he declared that he had “been to the mountaintop” continues to inspire us today to keep up the good fight for equality. Let us pause for a moment during this important anniversary to remember the great leader who was taken from us 50 years ago, but to also recall his achievements in building the foundation for fairness in our country.

Dr. King's address to the TWU's International Convention in 1961 is a proud part of our union's history. You can read it here.