. >> reporter: in the winter of 1968, the garbage men of memphis put the city on notice, men like elmorer leach. they went on strike demanding equal pay and better working conditions after two coworkers were accidentally killed in a trash compactor. what were the marchers saying? >> the marchers were saying, "we'll overcome some day." >> reporter: were you ever fearful for your life? >> sure. you felt like a war was on. >> reporter: a korean war veteran, nickleberry and others were now fighting for justice and the simple right to a sink to wash off the stench of a nine-hour day. his pay, just $1.25 a day. on april 3, 1968, he found himself in lock step with martin luther king, jr. >> that day was a good day. it was a marvelous day. when i saw him, i said, this man, he's going to change a lot of things. >> reporter: you felt you had a shot? >> i knew i had a shot. >> 1,300 of god's children are here suffering, going through dark and dreary nights. >> the speech he gave, you know, that did something to me. >> reporter: what did it do to you? >> i was thinking that everything was going to b