March is cancelled. City and union agree to mediation. Wednesday, March 27 - SCLC Leader Ralph David Abernathy addresses rally in support of strikers. Mediation talks collapse. Thursday, March 28 - March from Clayborn Temple, led by Dr. King, is interrupted by window breaking.
Police move into crowds with nightsticks, mace, tear gas and gunfire.
A 16-year old boy, Larry Payne, is shot to death. Police arrest 280, report about 60 injured, mostly blacks. State legislature authorizes 7 p.m. curfew and 4,000 National Guardsmen move in. President Johnson and AFL-CIO President George Meany offer assistance in resolving the dispute. Mayor Loeb turns them down.