In early April of 1968, the ever-growing civil rights movement was manifesting itself in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Tensions were mounting as a dispute over fair and equal wages for city sanitation workers began to dominate the news. It was the sort of protest for which the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) often could provide support. And so the group's nominal leader, The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was asked to come to town and organize a peaceful demonstration. King arrived via Eastern Airlines Flight 381 on the 3rd, accompanied by fellow SCLC members Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Bernard Lee, and Dorothy Cotton. They were met by a throng of reporters waiting at Gate 17 and stopped to hold a brief news conference. King spoke first, in response to being asked if he would obey a court injunction banning a march through downtown Memphis. In a calm, low voice, he responded, “I'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.” In fact, there was little support for a march among the city's citizens. Most feared that what might begin as a peaceful protest would turn violent, causing people to be injured or even killed and extensive damage to private property. Leaving the airport, the group was followed and monitored by plainclothes Memphis police all the way to their destination: the Lorraine Motel. Owned by Walter and Loree Bailey, it was a site that was very familiar to Dr. King. He had stayed there many times before, always requesting Room 306. In the deeply-segregated 1960s South, the Lorraine was listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book as a safe haven for African-American travelers. Other well-known guests had included Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Nat King Cole. The first order of business was to be a lunch meeting with a local black power group, the Invaders. They had been involved with demonstrations in the past that had turned violent. Members John B. Smith, Milton Mack, and Charles Cabbage were told in no uncertain terms that the SCLC-led march needed to be calm and dignified. They swore not to start trouble but wanted something in return. Cabbage, speaking for the others, asked for financial support to start a new liberation school. King agreed to help secure the funding. There was good news the next day. U. S. District Court Judge Bailey Brown had lifted an injunction prohibiting the second protest, issued after an earlier attempt devolved into violence. After successful arguments by SCLC attorneys Lucius Berch, Michael Cody, Charlie Newman, and Walter Bailey, a march was set to occur on Monday, April 8, subject to strict rules regarding in what manner, where, and for how long it could take place. That night, Dr. King and the others planned to have dinner at the home of The Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles, founding pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church in Memphis and well-known voice of and contributor to the early stages of the civil rights movement. Singer and musician Ben Branch would be performing for the guests. As King left his room, he saw Branch below the balcony and leaned over to call down to him. “Ben... Play my favorite song tonight: 'Take My Hand Precious Lord'. And play it real sweet, now.” At that very moment, a loud sound was heard, much like a single hard clapping of hands. A shot had been fired, its bullet striking Dr. King in the neck with enough force to slam him back against the door of his room. In an instant, he fell to the concrete floor, his powerful voice forever silenced.