Fast-food workers striking across the mid-south today were joined by workers from the 1968 sanitation strike, connecting the important historic action 50 years ago to today’s walk out.

The sanitation strikers, along with historians and community leaders held a symposium at the National Civil Rights Museum examining the legacy of the Memphis sanitation strike before hitting the streets.

Back then, they marched alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. through the city to demand fair pay and union rights, and respect on the job regardless of race – a whole lot like today.

Check out what happened at “THE STRIKE NOW: 50 years from ‘I AM’ to the Fight for $15” here.