schools
Clara Ester, activist who rushed to Martin Luther King Jr. after he was shot, dies at 78
By Associated Press at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 18, 2026
· 4 min read
Clara Ester, an activist who as a 20-year-old college student rushed to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s side when he was shot, has died.Ester, who died on July 9 at the age of 78, was among a few remaining witnesses to King’s assassination and its immediate aftermath in Memphis. With the passin...
Key takeaway Ester, who died on July 9 at the age of 78, was among a few remaining witnesses to King’s assassination and its immediate aftermath in Memphis.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
Clara Ester's passing has significant implications for Atlanta , a city that played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. As a witness to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Ester's experiences and memories are a crucial part of the city's history. Her involvement in the movement, which began at a young age, was influenced by civil rights leaders like the Rev. James Lawson, who was her pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church in Memphis. The loss of Ester and other prominent civil rights figures, such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., underscores the importance of preserving the stories and legacies of those who fought for equality and justice in Atlanta and beyond. With Andrew Young believed to be the last surviving eyewitness to the shooting, it is essential for the city to continue honoring and learning from its rich civil rights heritage, ensuring that the sacrifices and achievements of Ester and others are not forgotten.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Clara Ester, an activist who as a 20-year-old college student rushed to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s side when he was shot, has died.Ester, who died on July 9 at the age of 78, was among a few remaining witnesses to King’s assassination and its immediate aftermath in Memphis. With the passin...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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