Images of the Struggle

These images of the civil rights struggle, drawn from the collections of the participating institutions, provide graphic records of the persons and moments in the process toward civil justice. Some of the photographs are from private donations while others represent materials drawn from the archives of the area newspapers most notably the Press Scimitar and the Commercial Appeal. Whenever possible the persons depicted are identified in the captions and photographic credits are supplied when known.

The first photographs in this series are scenes from 1968 events at the time of the Sanitation Workers' Strike in Memphis, Tennessee. All original photographs are part of the Special Collections Department, University of Memphis Libraries.

Line of marchers turning from Chelsea Avenue onto Second Street in north Memphis during the Sanitation Workers' Strike, March 1968.
Photographer Barney Sellers, Commercial Appeal

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. addressing a group of strikers and strike supporters at the Clayborn Temple, March, 1968. Photographer unknown, Press Scimitar, Memphis, Tennessee

AFL-CIO Memphis Labor Council members march in downtown Memphis, March, 1968 in support of Sanitation Department employees during the strike. Press-Scimitar staff photograph

Small group of men gathers outside the Clayborn Temple March 28, 1968 during the sanitation worker's strike. Press Scimitar staff photo by James R. Reid

Marching on Beale Street February 1968 during the sanitation workers' strike. Photographer unknown, Press Scimitar photo.

Press conference on November 7, 1968. Front (L to R) Odell Horton, James Netters, and Jesse Epps. Standing (L to R) Rev. Malcolm Blackburn, W. L Williams, William Lucy, and Dr. Charles Dinkins. Commercial Appeal photo by Vernon Mathews.

Soldiers of the National Guard relax with neighborhood children on March 31, 1968. Commercial Appeal photo by Vernon Mathews

Meeting of strike representatives with Mayor Henry Loeb (back to camera) on February 13, 1968. Seated opposite the Mayor (beginning second from left) Mr. Ciampa, national labor representative, Mr. Jesse Epps, and Mr. T. O. Jones, leader of sanitation workers' union, Press Scimitar photo by Tom Barber

Collecting money during the Sanitation Workers' strike March 14, 1968. >Press Scimitar photo by Jack E. Cantrell

Memphis police in riot gear form a line on Beale Street March 28, 1968 during the sanitation workers' strike. Commercial Appeal photo by Sam Melhorn.