</s>100-2189 CLASSIFICATION NO. Volume Number Review of FBI Investigation Serials of Dr. Martin Luther King By deat of Justice Read Lor Lidio - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BUREAU - - - - - - - - - - - Fbi - Central RECORDS CENTER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FBI - MEMPHIS ME-0066-0030B: ME ME-MEMPHIS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # Class /Case # Sub Vol .: Serif # - - 0666 2189 1 1 OPEN - - - - - - - - - - INVESTIGATION - - - - - 11/10/01/157908 - - <loc_36><loc_803><loc_40><loc_803><loc_39><loc_818><loc_40><loc_818>- RRP002ZMVGG <loc_217><loc_865>- -<loc_40><loc_885><loc_40><loc_900><loc_40><loc_900>-<loc_40><loc_800><loc_38><loc_800><loc_40><loc_825>- -<loc_40><loc_923>-

The declassified documents detail the U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on FBI involvement, James Earl Ray’s role, and historical context. The FBI concluded in 1977 that no federal agency, including itself, was involved in the assassination, though its pre-assassination surveillance of King was deemed harassment under civil rights laws. James Earl Ray was initially convicted in 1969 as the lone assassin but had his conviction overturned in 1977 due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The FBI’s long-term surveillance of King from 1963–1968, part of J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO program, is acknowledged as a systematic effort to undermine civil rights activism. While no direct involvement in the assassination was found, the report notes potential legal violations due to counterintelligence activities. The investigation also reviewed files from Memphis Police Department, FBI field offices, and Hoover’s personal archives, revealing extensive documentation of intelligence operations against King and his organizations.  

The documents also describe the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968, which began on February 12 when approximately 1,000 Black workers went on strike demanding union recognition, better wages, and benefits. The strike was supported by AFSCME, the NAACP, and the militant group Invaders (a cell of Black Organizing Power). Reverend James D. Lawson Jr. advocated for King’s involvement in Memphis, leading to his arrival on March 18, 1968. A planned protest on March 22 was postponed due to snowfall and rescheduled for March 28. The march began at Claytown Temple but turned chaotic as looters attacked stores near Beale Street, prompting police intervention.  

Key People  
- **J. Edgar Hoover**: Former FBI Director who oversaw surveillance of King.  
- **Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**: Civil rights leader subjected to FBI surveillance and involved in the Memphis strike.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Confessed assassin of King, convicted in 1969 but later released.  
- **Reverend James D. Lawson Jr.**: Advocate for King’s involvement in Memphis.  
- **Charles L. Cabbage** and **John B. Smith**: Leaders of the Invaders group (BOP).  
- **NAACP representatives** and **OOME members** (Memphis Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance).  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of King’s assassination (April 4, 1968) and the sanitation workers’ strike.  
- **Mason Temple**: Location of King’s March 18 rally.  
- **Lorraine Hotel**: King’s stay in Memphis on March 18.  
- **Claytown Temple**: Starting point of the March 28 march.  
- **Beale Street**: Scene of looting and police action during the March 28 march.  

Key Events  
- **1963–1968**: FBI’s long-term surveillance of King under Hoover’s direction, part of COINTELPRO.  
- **April 4, 1968**: Assassination of King by James Earl Ray.  
- **1976–1977**: Department of Justice Task Force review of FBI files and activities.  
- **February 12, 1968**: Start of the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike.  
- **March 18, 1968**: King’s arrival in Memphis to support the strike.  
- **March 28, 1968**: Rescheduled march leading to chaos and police intervention.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted surveillance and counterintelligence operations against King.  
- **Department of Justice (DOJ)**: Led the Task Force review of FBI activities.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Organization associated with King’s civil rights work, targeted by FBI infiltration efforts.  
- **American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)**: Supported the Memphis strike.  
- **Black Organizing Power (BOP)**: Militant group involved in the Memphis strike.  
- **Memphis Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (OOME)**: Mobilized support for the strike.

MLK Declassified Files

66-me-2189_sec_001_ser_1-part_1_of_6.pdf

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