On March 31, 1968, 57 years ago, the US minister and activist Martin Luther King Jr. moved to the city of Memphis, Tennesseeto support African -American cleaning workers who were on strike since March 12, with the aim of obtaining a salary increase and a fairer treatment in “the voluntary state.”
At that time, African -American employees won US $ 1.70 (Q13) per hour, but they were not paid when they could not work for weather causes, unlike what happened with the workers White. Therefore, they decided to protest peacefully; However, as a consequence, A wave of violence broke out in the sector.
Given this situation, on April 3, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a prophetic speech, in which he talked about the Threats against his life: “What could happen to me by one of our evil White brothers? I just want to fulfill God’s will and I am very happy because I have no fear”, He said.
However, on April 4, 18 hours after that speech, the most visible leader of civil rights movement was killed by the segregationist white James Earl Ray, while being on the balcony of a hotel. His last words were addressed to the musician Ben Branchwho asked him to play the song Take My Hand, Priceus Lord.
The secrets of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr.
The shot by James Earl Ray on the Balcony of the Lorraine Motel, located in the city of Memphis, not only silenced the spokesman more influential of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, but also left a wound that, 57 years later, has not yet healed after the death of Martin Luther King Jr.
After the shock National caused by the death of the American leader at age 39, rumors began to emerge on a “Cstate onspiration ” that he would allegedly managed since his arrival at the Shelby County, similar to what happened with the murder of John F. Kennedy in November 1963.
The conspiracy theories began to surround the violent death of Martin Luther King Jr., which is why the current president of the United States, Donald Trump, made the decision to sign an executive order to declassify dozens of documents Confidential related to both cases, with the objective of clarifying the facts.
On Wednesday, March 19, the Republican president established a period of 45 days so that the National Intelligence Director, Tulsi Gabbardand the United States Attorney General, Pam Bondipresent a plan for the dissemination of records linked to Martin Luther King Jr., after the release of documents on JFK.
“Their families and the people deserve transparency And the truth. The murder of activist Martin Luther King Jr. is an event that has deeply marked American history, “said President Donald Trump, who seeks to show himself as the man capable of facing the “Deep State” of the American nation.
At present, the minister’s death has generated numerous speculation about possible conspiracies and Alcubects by the US government. From the alleged participation of the central intelligence agency (INCfor its acronym in English), even theories about mafias and agents foreigners In the United States.
However, 57 years after the event, historians warn that “significant revelations should not be expected,” since many records have been disclosed in recent decades. Despite that, the measure was received with enthusiasm by the American population, because they look for greater clarity on the case.
57 Years Estroy, You Were Assassinated.
We remember you.
We respect you.
We Cherish You.
We honor you.#MLK #Martinlutherkingjr #Kingslastday #THANKYOULK pic.twitter.com/0kbygpvmkm– The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@ThekingCenter) April 4, 2025