A Witness to History: Dr. King's Last Days in Memphis

Saturday, September 22, 2018
1 pm - Reception
1:30 - 3 pm - Discussion
Nashville Public Library - Main Library
615 Church Street, Nashville 37219


Please join us for a discussion with attorney Mike Cody, who, as an ACLU cooperating attorney, represented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight to march in support of striking sanitation workers in Memphis, despite the city’s prohibition of the march. Cody will discuss 1960s Memphis and the ACLU, including his work with Dr. King in the days leading up to his assassination.

Mike Cody has been practicing law with Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC in Memphis since 1961, except for time he spent in public service. He served as the Attorney General of Tennessee from 1984 to 1988, was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from 1977 to 1981, and served on the Memphis City Council from 1975 to 1977. Among many other achievements, Cody has taught at numerous Tennessee colleges and universities, founded Memphis Neighborhood Legal Services, served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, been inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and personally argued four cases before the United States Supreme Court.

This event, co-sponsored by Nashville Public Library, is free and open to the public.

Printable flyers for this event can be found here in color and in black and white, and the Facebook page for this event can be found here. Please share widely.

Hope to see you there!

For more information, please contact us at aclutn@aclu-tn.org or 615-320-7142.


The programs, services and activities of the Nashville Public Library are open to all. To request a disability (ADA) accommodation, please call the Equal Access Division at 615-862-5750.

All portraits above courtesy of: Special Collections Department, University Libraries, University of Memphis