</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 5 CHRONOLOGY OF THE "ASHINGTON SPRING PROJECT (U) On 15 August 1957, Dr. Martin Luther KING first announced a massive campaign on civil disobedience in Washington, D.C. and other major US urban areas. campaign at a civil disobedience plan was relocated by Dr. KIHG on 23 October 1967, and also at a confederation plan was held in Washington. D. C. on October 1967. Executive Session of the National Advisory Commission testimony before an At this conference, KING called for a prolonged city purifying demonstration- at this conference. KING calls for a proposed city purification demonstration- anti-poverty prevention of a force across to connect a $20 billion a year program following a week-long conference (27 WST would be a gain-on-demand for the progressive movement to force Congress to connect to a $120 billion at a year- personnel of the SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SLC) at prospector of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) at known as the "Washington, and said that the program was to be officially and his associates have referred to the WSP as the since that time, KING and his Associates have referred the "SP as a "Since that time," KING "Poor People's Camp-in," "April Civil Disobedience Program," "I'm "Poor and "Poor People" Camp-In," "APRIL Civil Disodependence Program," ("Poor name most Capitol Camp," and "SLC" at the present time." The latter is the KING repeatedly voiced his concern over the failure of the 90th Congress to pass meaningful voices regarding legislation during the first session and stated that the time had had about the legislation during this session and Washington and stay there by the thousand until the Federal camp right in states that the date had outlined the problems of the Negroes and other poor and Congress that it would be the problem of the poor his participation in the 1963 Birmingham and Selma, Alabama, imposed for last part of October 1967; there were briefly curtained during the his activities in the 1993 Birmingham and Salem, Alabama. Imported for his activities was the first time since his release of publicizing plans for the WST. release from the KING County press conference, held after his include massive acts of civil disobedience. Revered YOUNG, VSP could release from that specific targets of the WSF would be in the Department assistant, stated that specific interests of the State Department of the District of California, Bethesda Naval Hospital, and bridges at the 27 November 1967, KING calls a high-level meeting of SCLC personnel at the Penn Community Center, has long been used by KING and his progrene, South Carolina. The Center persistent journalists. The week-along meeting was again closed away from <loc_113><loc_669>that "SCLC" was not included in the program.<loc_113><loc_672><loc_113><loc_672>that "ACT SCI was not a major director Thomas OFFENBERGER advised nowmen

Summary  
The document outlines the planning and execution of the "Washington Spring Project" (WSP), a civil disobedience campaign organized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The WSP aimed to address poverty and racial injustice through mass demonstrations, with key events scheduled for 1968. MLK announced the campaign in August 1967, emphasizing demands for economic reforms, including a guaranteed minimum wage, welfare program revamps, and job training. The plan involved recruiting volunteers across multiple states, with initial focus on northern cities and later shifting to southern regions. The WSP was intended to culminate in a large-scale demonstration in Washington, D.C., with support from anti-war groups and civil rights organizations. On 4 April 1968, MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, following which the SCLC rescheduled the campaign for mid-May 1968 under new leadership, including Reverend Ralph Abernathy as president. The document details subsequent planning for the WSP's continuation, including caravan routes and protest timelines, while noting tensions with government authorities over permits and potential violence.  

Key People  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK): Central figure in organizing the WSP and advocating for poverty alleviation.  
- Reverend Andrew Young: SCLC Executive Vice President; involved in planning and recruitment efforts.  
- Bernard Lafayette, Jr.: Program Administrator for the SCLC; part of the Washington Campaign leadership.  
- Ralph Abernathy: Elected president of the SCLC following MLK's assassination; oversaw rescheduling of the WSP.  
- Walter E. Fauntroy: Washington representative and coordinator for the WSP, engaged in meetings with civil rights leaders.  

Key Locations  
- Washington, D.C.: Central to the WSP's planned demonstrations and coordination efforts.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Site of MLK's assassination on 4 April 1968.  
- Birmingham, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia: Key cities where MLK and SCLC held meetings and events.  
- Jackson, Mississippi; Marks, Mississippi; Knoxville, Tennessee: Locations for caravan departures and logistical planning.  

Key Events  
- 15 August 1967: MLK announced the WSP as a civil disobedience campaign targeting poverty and racial injustice.  
- 23 October 1967: SCLC relocated the WSP plan, emphasizing anti-poverty measures and federal funding demands.  
- 4 April 1968: MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, leading to the rescheduling of the WSP under Abernathy's leadership.  
- Mid-May 1968: Rescheduled WSP timeline included caravans from Mississippi, Alabama, and other states converging on Washington, D.C.  
- 27 May 1968: Planned major demonstrations in Washington, D.C., with participation from across the U.S.  

Key Organizations  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Primary organization behind the WSP, led by MLK and later Abernathy.  
- National Advisory Commission: Involved in discussions about legislative reforms related to poverty alleviation.  
- Anti-war groups: Collaborated with SCLC to broaden the WSP's support base and increase its militant profile.  
- Washington Negro community leaders: Including Stokely Carmichael, who engaged with SCLC plans for nonviolent demonstrations.

MLK Declassified Files

00017975_chronology_of_the_washing.pdf

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