Teamsters Local 667 leads Memphis MLK Day commemorative march honoring 1968 sanitation workers’ strike legacy

A union-led tradition rooted in the 1968 sanitation strike

Teamsters Local 667 organized a Martin Luther King Jr. Day “Commemorative March” in downtown Memphis on Monday, January 19, 2026, continuing a long-standing local tradition tied to the events of 1968. The march was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the corner of Main Street and A.W. Willis Avenue.

Memphis holds a distinct place in the national story of civil rights and labor organizing because Dr. King traveled to the city in 1968 to support striking sanitation workers. The strike involved about 1,300 workers and became widely associated with the “I AM A MAN” message used by the strikers to assert dignity and equality on the job and in public life.

Why sanitation workers remain central to MLK Day in Memphis

Union-led commemorations in Memphis regularly emphasize the connection between civil rights and workplace rights that became especially visible during the 1968 strike. Dr. King’s presence in Memphis during that campaign, and the events surrounding his assassination in April 1968, cemented the sanitation workers’ struggle as a defining element of the city’s annual MLK Day observances.

Today’s commemorations frequently serve two functions: remembrance of the historical strike and reflection on continuing issues that affect workers, including workplace safety and economic security. In Memphis, that dual purpose is reflected in union participation and in the geographic focus of events in and around downtown sites connected to the 1968 campaign.

National Civil Rights Museum marks milestone anniversary year with expanded access

The 2026 observance coincided with milestone dates highlighted locally: MLK Day’s 40th year as a federal holiday and the National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th anniversary. The museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, offered free admission on January 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and scheduled community programming throughout the day.

• Live performances and organized activities for visitors
• A “Storytelling Lounge” designed to record reflections for archival preservation
• Community resources on site, alongside additional events planned for attendees

City operations adjusted for the holiday

As part of the MLK Day federal holiday, City of Memphis government offices were closed on January 19, 2026. Solid waste services were adjusted, with no trash collection on Monday and modified pickup timing for certain routes during the holiday week.

In Memphis, MLK Day observances routinely link commemoration with civic activity, pairing marches and museum programming with operational changes across local government services.