Memphis is once again seeing National Guard troops on its streets, a sight that for many, particularly long-time residents like Joe Calhoun and Al Lewis, brings back fresh, uncomfortable memories of the 1968 sanitation strike, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, and subsequent periods of intense civil unrest. This deployment, aimed at reducing crime, sparks complex conversations about historical echoes and future aspirations for the city.
The recent arrival of National Guard troops in Memphis, Tennessee, has ignited a profound sense of déjà vu for many longtime residents. While the current deployment is aimed at combating rising crime rates, it inescapably conjures vivid and often painful memories of 1968, a year etched into the city’s history by civil unrest and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This deep dive explores the historical context, the lived experiences of those who remember, and the complex implications of the Guard’s presence.
Echoes of 1968: When the Guard Meant Unrest
For individuals like Joe Calhoun, the sight of National Guard troops is a chilling reminder of a tumultuous era. In 1968, Calhoun marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in support of approximately 1,300 predominantly Black sanitation workers who were striking against inhumane treatment. The strike, sparked by the tragic deaths of two laborers in a malfunctioning garbage truck, escalated into violence when police clashed with protesters, leading to the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old.
In response, thousands of National Guard troops, armed with bayonetted rifles and tanks, quickly deployed across Memphis. Calhoun vividly recalls the atmosphere of discomfort: “You felt very uncomfortable just going about your daily routine, especially at night. They were stopping cars and randomly picking people out.” The soldiers presented “a very imposing sight for young kids to see that on the way to school, to see that on the way to church or whatever. So, we do not want to see that at all,” Calhoun told the Associated Press. He also noted that Guard members at checkpoints specifically targeted and harassed people who had attended the 1968 marches downtown.
The Aftermath of King’s Assassination
Just a week after the initial violence, King returned to Memphis, planning a peaceful march. However, on April 4, 1968, he was tragically assassinated by a sniper at the Lorraine Motel. This devastating event triggered widespread civil unrest across Memphis and other U.S. cities. In response, approximately 4,000 National Guard troops were reactivated in Memphis, and a curfew was reimposed, as documented by AP reports.
Al Lewis, who was 14 at the time, remembers the chaos vividly, recalling Walter Cronkite announcing King’s death on television. “Almost immediately, gunfire erupted in a cacophony Lewis said he had not heard in such volume other than on New Year’s,” the Associated Press reported. He saw military vehicles and troops downtown, along with Guard members on neighborhood night patrols. Lewis described it as feeling like “an invasion of sorts,” experiencing both “fear and excitement” as he didn’t know how far the unrest would go.
A Recurring Presence: The Guard in 1978
Memories of the National Guard in Memphis are not confined solely to 1968. A decade later, in 1978, troops were again deployed during a strike by local firefighters and police. Al Lewis, then working for the U.S. Postal Service, recalls passing through Guard checkpoints and seeing them putting out fires and managing looting. While the presence was still imposing, Lewis noted, “Still, I didn’t feel the same menace that I felt like I did when King got killed.”
The Current Deployment: A Different Mission, Similar Fears
The current deployment, announced by President Donald Trump last month, is specifically tasked with combating high violent crime rates in Memphis, including assaults, carjackings, and homicides. While statistics show some improvement this year, violence remains a significant problem in the city. Republican Gov. Bill Lee supports the effort, stating that the troops will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service to provide a “critical support role” for local law enforcement. Notably, the city confirms that Guard members will not be equipped with tanks this time.
At least nine armed Guard members, in fatigues and protective vests marked “military police,” were observed patrolling near iconic landmarks like the Pyramid and a visitor welcome center. However, the exact number of troops on the ground or expected to arrive remains unclear.
A City at a “Key Moment”
Governor Lee emphasized the significance of the moment, telling reporters, “You talked about the National Guard being in Memphis at key moments; I think this is a key moment for that city. They’ve been plagued with violence.” This acknowledgment underscores the severity of the crime issue and the perceived need for federal intervention.
Memphis, a majority Black epicenter for civil rights, has a complex relationship with these deployments. Joe Calhoun, now 75 and still an activist, recently marched against the current deployment. He hopes his four grandchildren will not have to experience similar scenes, noting, “it’s taken a lot longer than I thought it would” to achieve a better world.
Mayor Young’s Vision for the Guard’s Role
Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, has outlined potential roles for the Guard that aim to avoid the confrontational images of the past. These include:
- Monitoring police cameras
- “Beautifying” neighborhoods
- Assisting the homeless population
Mayor Young has explicitly referenced the deployment after King’s assassination, acknowledging community fears and stating, “We don’t want to invoke those same images here,” as reported by the Associated Press. This sentiment reflects a desire to leverage the Guard’s presence for community support rather than solely for law enforcement, a crucial distinction from historical deployments.
Beyond the Uniform: Addressing Underlying Issues
The conversation around the National Guard’s deployment in Memphis is a complex tapestry woven with threads of historical trauma, current anxieties, and future aspirations. While addressing violent crime is a pressing need, the deep-seated memories of past unrest highlight the importance of community engagement and sensitive execution of the Guard’s mission. The success of this deployment may ultimately be measured not just by crime statistics, but by the extent to which it avoids re-traumatizing a community with a long, fraught history of military presence during times of social upheaval.
