MEMPHIS SANITATION WORKERS STRIKE 

   On February 1st, 1968, two sanitation workers were crushed to death by a garbage truck that was not working properly. Although the black sanitation workers had been angry with the way they were being treated long before this event, this threw them over the edge. They were angry with the unequal, and unfair pay, safety, and treatment they had been receiving at work. 12 days later, 1,300 black Memphis sanitation workers went on strike. They carried signs that said "I am a Man," which was their way of trying to show that they are people and should get the treatment they deserve. The strike got violent, and some were even killed by police. Months later on April 16th, President Johnson sent an official to Memphis to resolve this. This event was important to the Civil Rights Movement because the sanitation eventually got raises and recognition, and were treated more equally at their work.