18 may 1968 & poor people's campaign participants housed @coliseum

#OTD 18 May 1968 SCLC organizers negotiated with city officials to open the Coliseum (3rd & M Sts, NE) to participants traveling to the city for the Poor People's Campaign & Resurrection City. Most of the participants--about 1,000--housed at the Coliseum were from the Midwest delegation. There were also about 200 individuals who were relocated from churches, including Saints Paul and Augustine (15th & S Sts, NW). 

The Red Cross donated cots and mattresses. The use of the Coliseum was intended to be a temporary solution until more tents were built at Resurrection City.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you, a family member or neighbor stay or work at the Coliseum during the Poor People's Campaign? What are your memories of the Coliseum?  You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy of DC Public Library Special Collections, 18 May 1968. Owen Duvall, photographer.
Charles Conconi, "Midwest Unit is Diverted in Emergency," Evening Star 19 May 1968.