Friday, March 8 - Trash fires in South Memphis are blamed on strike supporters. Saturday, March 9 - At Mayor's suggestion, National Guard begins holding riot drills. Monday, March 11 - Students skip high school to participate in march, led by black ministers. Two students arrested. Wednesday, March 13 - Nine demonstrators arrested at Main and McCall.
Police claim they threatened shoppers.
Six pickets are arrested and charged with blocking the Democrat Road sanitation depot entrance. Saturday,March 16 - Mayor says entire city should vote on dues checkoff questions in August. Union says no. Monday, March 18 - Newspapers claim strike is failing as scabs operate 90 garbage trucks. But 17,000 Memphians attend rally where Dr. King calls for a citywide march on March 22.