</s>PG 137-1991 PG 157-698 44-578 CI contracted on 4/6/68, and said he had no information from any of his contacts that there were any disturbances or contenuied acts of violence to be committed in the Martinsburg W.A.S. as an after- math of the assassination of Reverend KING. -2- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI monitoring of potential civil disturbances following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. On April 5-7, 1968, informants reported no significant unrest in Washington, Pennsylvania, despite initial concerns about racial tensions. A memorial service for King was held in Erie, Pennsylvania, attended by over 1,500 people, with clergy from multiple denominations participating. The FBI noted no arrests or major incidents during these events. Rewards totaling $155,000 were offered by Memphis newspapers and organizations for information leading to the identification of King's assassin. A suspect named Bill Harrington was mentioned in connection with the case. FBI files reference ongoing investigations (case numbers 157-698, 157-716) and include details about Communist Party activities in Pittsburgh, including a meeting on April 12, 1968, discussing King's assassination and its implications for civil rights movements. The documents also mention the involvement of individuals like Allen Thomas, Beth Edelman, and Eugene Arrington in party activities.  

Key People:  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (assassinated on April 4, 1968)  
- Bill Harrington (suspect in the slaying)  
- Jesse McManford (mentioned as a potential informant)  
- Allen Thomas, Beth Edelman, Eugene Arrington, Art Edelman, Gabe Kish, Ed Bortz, David Owens, Walter Hunger, Jack Solomon, and others involved in Communist Party activities.  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (site of King's assassination)  
- Washington, Pennsylvania (monitored for disturbances post-assassination)  
- Erie, Pennsylvania (memorial service for King)  
- McKeesport, Pennsylvania (church services honoring King)  
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Communist Party meetings and activities)  

Key Events:  
- FBI monitoring of civil unrest following King's assassination (April 1968)  
- Memorial services in Erie and McKeesport, Pennsylvania (April 12-13, 1968)  
- Offering of $155,000 reward for information on King's assassin by Memphis newspapers  
- Communist Party meeting in Pittsburgh (April 12, 1968), discussing King's assassination and civil rights issues  
- FBI case files referencing investigations into potential conspiracies and racial tensions  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Communist Party (United States)  
- Memphis newspapers and organizations offering rewards for information  
- Local churches and community groups in Pennsylvania participating in memorial services

MLK Declassified Files

157-pg-698_628308_38-01-part_2_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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