April 7th, 1968: The Pittsburgh Peace March
A photographic essay documenting the march that occurred in Pittsburgh, PA, three days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Assassination
MLK
On April 4th, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returned to Memphis, Tennessee, to lead a protest march on April 8th in support of a Memphis Sanitation Worker's Strike.
Many Black men working for the Memphis Department of Public Works had been neglected and abused. To illustrate their frustrations, they organized several strikes. King believed this struggle in Memphis exposed the need for economic equality and social justice.
Dr. Martin Luther King's Death-Memphis, Tenn. (1968-04) by Henry GroskinskyLIFE Photo Collection
However, Dr. King would never make it to the demonstration. On April 4th, 1968, while standing on the balcony outside of the Lorraine Motel, Dr. King was shot by fugitive and felon, James Earl Ray. King died later that night at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Memphis.
The Response
Tensions grew all over the nation as the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s pressed on. The struggle for racial equality for Black Americans was met with abhorrent resistance in many places. Individuals participating in this struggle were met with brutality, violence, and death.
The murder of Dr. King was one among many in the war for Black Liberation from the clutches of a white supremacist society. Yet, his death ignited something within many Americans.
Riots In Chicago, Illinois (1968) by Lee BaltermanLIFE Photo Collection
125 American cities exploded in grief and mourning. Some protestors expressed their frustrations with intense demonstrations of resistance. Others channeled their emotions into organizing marches and sit-ins to illustrate continued dedication to the goals King argued for.
The Pittsburgh Peace March
Pittsburgh residents responded varyingly with riots breaking out in the neighborhoods of Homewood-Brushton, Hazelwood, Lawrenceville, the North Side, and the Hill District. However, possibly one of the largest peaceful responses to King's death took place on April 7th, 1968.
A Crowd Gathers Outside Church in Preparation of Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
The local chapter of the NAACP scheduled a memorial march to King on April 7th. The March would start at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Crawford Street in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, now known as "Freedom Corner." Here you see the queue of people prepared to march.
Four Individuals Stand of the Steps of the Federal Building During Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
The march was to end at the Federal building in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Local Attorney and NAACP President Byrd R. Brown stated that once there "we seek to present petitions to members of Congress, asking quick action on the Civil Rights Program now in Congress." This program would later become the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
Crowd Gathers Near Mendelsohn's Ice Cream Bar For Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
Brown issued a call to the entire community to share in the memorial to King' work. It is estimated that 3,500 persons joined in the march on April 7th.
Marchers Gather in Front of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church During Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
Men and women from all walks of life attended. Since the march was scheduled on a Sunday, many came straight from church, dressed in their Sunday best. Entire families participated as well. Many children appear in the photos from the march.
Police Confront Crowd with Batons Raised (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
The march began 30 minutes late after a confrontation between march leaders and city police. City police attempted to halt the march, stating that the demonstration couldn't continue until an adequate number of police officers were present to protect the march route.
Firefighters Battle Fire in the Hill District During Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
In the previous two days and nights, the Hill District of Pittsburgh erupted in revolt. Fires were set to many local white-owned businesses. Looting occurred. Some the Black community of Pittsburgh expressed their frustrations and anger in a spectacle of fire.
Alma Fox and Others Wait for Pittsburgh Peace March to Begin (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
In light of this, city officials felt the march would only lead to further violence, thus their attempts to stop it. Local NAACP President, Alma Fox, slipped through the line of officers and confronted local city leadership. Partly due to Fox's determination, the march proceeded.
Majorie Watson and Other Marchers Make Their Way Downtown During Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
While the march itself was entirely peaceful, three unidentified marchers were rushed to the hospital after the confrontation with police.
As the march moved forward protestors walked with arms linked. According to local newspapers, in the front marchers chanted, clapped, and sang. The demonstration itself was entirely peaceful.
Yet, squads of armed police continued to follow protestors on either side.
Three Local Leaders Stand on the Steps of the Federal Building During Pittsburgh Peace March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
Once at the Federal Building, Brown, along with several other local civil rights leaders, mounted the steps to speak to the crowd. It is unclear whether or not they were permitted to present their petitions to members of Congress.
Byrd Browd Looks to Camera as He Stands Outside of Civic Arena in Anticipation of March (1968-04-07) by Charles R. MartinUniversity of Pittsburgh Library System
The march culminated at Point State Park, where Dr. James Casey, pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, spoke of Dr. King and his work.
A moment of silence hushed the crowd, a prayer was said, and Attorney Brown left the people with the following statement, "I have been asked to tell the [negro] in Pittsburgh to 'cool it.' I will not ask people to 'cool it.'
"I will not ask people to 'cool it.' I did not cause the situation that exists today, and I will accept none of the responsibility. We will bury racism here in Pittsburgh."
All quoted text has been pulled from articles from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
April 8, 1968 (page 1 of 56). (1968, Apr 08). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sun-Telegraph (1960-1978)
April 8, 1968 (page 25 of 56). (1968, Apr 08). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sun-Telegraph (1960-1978)
April 8, 1968 (page 14 of 56). (1968, Apr 08). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sun-Telegraph (1960-1978)
Portions of this exhibit have also been informed by the following book:
Trotter, Joe. Race and Renaissance: African Americans in Pittsburgh Since World War II, (Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2010).
