As America prepared for war in 1941, discrimination largely shut black Americans out of job opportunities in the growing defense industry.

Dr. King's last campaign was a labor struggle. Many people are aware that King was assassinated in Memphis in the spring of 1968. Less well-known is what drew him there: solidarity with city sanitation workers, who, without the benefit of union representation, were rising up to protest humiliating pay and deplorable working conditions.

Civil rights activists and union activists shared not just common values and objectives but also common enemies.

Tom Perez Quotes