Created by

Civil Rights History Project, American, founded 2009

Interview of

Lucy, William, American, born 1933

Interviewed by

Dr. Crosby, Emilye Ph. D., American

Subject of

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, American, founded 1932

Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, American, founded 1972

Free South Africa Movement, American, founded 1985

Medium

digital

Dimensions

Duration: 01:18:24

Type

video recordings

oral histories

digital media - born digital

Place collected

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

South Africa, Africa

Date

June 25, 2013

Description

The oral history consists of five digital files: 2011.174.94.1a, 2011.174.94.1b, 2011.174.94.1c, 2011.174.94.1d, and 2011.174.94.1e.

William "Bill” Lucy discusses his role in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in the 1960s, especially how he and the union supported the 1968 sanitation workers' strike in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1966, Lucy started to work for AFSCME in Washington, D.C., as the Associate Director of the Department of Legislation and Community Affairs. Lucy explains AFSCME's support of the Civil Rights Movement, especially the push to expose the economic exploitation of African Americans. Lucy narrates the events of the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis, discusses the involvement of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and describes the union's strategies. Lucy also discusses his involvement in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and the Free South Africa Movement.

LOC ID: afc2010039_crhp0094

Topic

African American

Activism

Africa

American South

Associations and institutions

Civil rights

Labor

Local and regional

Social reform

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in partnership with the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Object number

2011.174.94.1a-e

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Civil Rights History Project

Classification

Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture