Thread by @RickSmithShow

Lee Saunders: People don't want us to understand our history or the importance of our history. To get to where you want to go, you have to understand where you've come from.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: The history of civil rights is so important. The "I Am" story goes back to 1968 when sanitation workers weren't treated well despite providing a necessary service to the people of Memphis. (con't)
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: (con't) The city blocked sanitation workers' efforts to organize. Things came to a breaking point when two sanitation workers were crushed in the back of the truck when the crusher malfunctioned & crashed down on them, killing them. (con't)
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: (con't) Workers had been complaining for so long about faulty, malfunctioning equipment. Dr. King went to Memphis to support the sanitation workers. He galvanized that community & the entire community came together to work.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: We have a podcast called "I AM Story Podcast" that tells the history of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike. It includes first-hand accounts. We tried to recreate the moment.
iamstory.com
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: We talked with Martin Luther King III, who told us why his dad felt so compelled to go to Memphis to support the striking sanitation workers.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: If we can identify what needs to be changed, & we come together to fight for it, we can win. That's important for people to understand.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: Dr. King ultimately gave his life in support of that strike & in support of their humanity, and we can't allow that to be forgotten. What is good in this country didn't magically fall from the sky; it came from people organizing & fighting for what's right.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: People need the representation of a union, & that's why Dr. King went to Memphis in support of the striking sanitation workers. Would it be a hard fight? Yes, of course, but the workers eventually won & achieved a contract & were represented by a union.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: That fight still continues today, make no mistake about it. Look at the organizing that's taking place in this country today--Walmart, Amazon, Starbucks.
@AFSCME

Lee Saunders: The deck's sometimes stacked against us because the labor laws are archaic & companies don't want to give up the power.
@AFSCME

Rick: Your "I AM Story" podcast series is riveting & is well-produced. I listened while riding my bike & probably rode longer than I should have because the podcast was that good.
#RickShow @AFSCME

Lee Saunders: Those sanitation workers were successful in their fight, despite all the obstacles against them. We have to make our voices heard today, too, & know that it's worth the fight.
@AFSCME #UnionStrong #UnionYes #1u