Jet Magazine from July 11, 1968 with Poor People's Campaign Story
Object number2022.007.0001
Date07/11/1968
ClassificationsNewspapers & Magazines
ObjectMagazine
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumPaper
Dimensions5 7/8 × 4 1/8 × 1/8 in. (14.9 × 10.5 × 0.3 cm)
DescriptionJet Magazine from July 11, 1968 with a cover story focused on the first black actors featured in the popular TV show Peyton Place. The cover also highlights an article titled "Inside Story of Resurrection City's Tragic End." This main story on Pages 14 - 20 focuses on the Poor People's Campaign organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It details the police raid that led to the dissolution of the encampment known as Resurrection City on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and the arrest of hundreds.
Curatorial CommentaryThe Poor People's Campaign was envisioned by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as a multi-ethnic coalition of poor people from across the United States. It was meant to draw attention to the plight of the poor, whether they were from urban ghettos or rural Appalachia. Dr. King was assassinated before the campaign could come to fruition, but Rev. Ralph Abernathy vowed to carry on the campaign in honor of Dr. King. The campaign culminated in a 16-acre encampment, Resurrection City, occupied by more than 3,000 poor people on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from May 21 to June 24, 1968. - Stephanie Allen-Givens, Collections and Exhibits Manager
A new incarnation of the Poor People's Campaign, inspired by the 1968 campaign, is active today. You can learn about it here: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/about/ - Stephanie Allen-Givens, Collections and Exhibits Manager
04/12/1968
October 1968
06/14/1968
