Colonial Acres in Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Tragic Accident Sparks Sanitation Strike

Photographed By Serah Delong, January 26, 2014

1. Tragic Accident Sparks Sanitation Strike Marker

Inscription. Side 1
On February 1, 1968, sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker took shelter from the rain inside their truck's garbage barrel because they had no raincoats. One block south of here, at the corner of Colonial and Verne, the compacting motor shorted, and the two men were crushed to death. On the same day, due to weather, 22 black sewer workers were sent home without pay while their white supervisors were retained for the day with pay.

Side 2
On February 12, more than 1100 black sanitation workers began a strike for job safety, better wages and benefits, and union recognition. The deaths of Cole and Walker were key factors contributing to the sanitation workers' strike. Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave three separate speeches in support of the strikers and their cause, the last coming on April 3. The following day, Dr. King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel.

Erected 2014 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 173.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1951.

Location.

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35° 5.591′ N, 89° 54.194′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Colonial Acres. Marker is at the intersection of Colonial Road and Sea Isle Road, on the right when traveling north on Colonial Road. On the Grounds of Colonial Middle School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1370 Colonial Rd,, Memphis TN 38117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elvis Presley House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Eudora Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Eudora Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Beginning (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Player (approx. 1.7 miles away); Gen. James M. Kennedy Hospital (approx. 1.7 miles away); Crystal Shrine Grotto (approx. 1.8 miles away); William G. Leftwich, Jr. Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Additional commentary.
1.
This marker was a project of the Memphis Pink Palace Museum

— Submitted May 19, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.

Additional keywords. AFSCME

Photographed By Serah Delong, circa January 26, 2014

2. Tragic Accident Sparks Sanitation Strike Marker

Photographed By Steve Masler, 2015

3. Tragic Accident Sparks Sanitation Strike Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,213 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on May 20, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. 3. submitted on October 6, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.