Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was in Memphis, Tennessee to support the striking sanitation workers. At Mason Temple, he gave the most poignant speech of his life, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” where he predicted his own death:
“I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

The following day, on April 4, 1968 at 6:05 pm, King was shot dead while standing on the balcony outside his second floor room at the Lorraine Motel. The news of King’s assassination caused major outbreaks of racial violence and an international manhunt for the suspected felon. During the years that followed, many questions arose about possible co-conspirators, questionable evidence, and the pervasive surveillance by the FBI. King’s family unanimously believed that the charged assailant was innocent.

Marlena tells of a conversation particularly related to this painting:

"I found it very interesting when I showed the painting to a US Veteran. He thoughtfully asked me if I had intended to paint the American flag upside down. I had. He informed me that in combat, a company would raise their flag upside down when all hope is lost and they are desperate to be saved. I thought the symbolism was very appropriate, even if you believe that America conspired to kill him."