Chicago Commemorates MLK Jr.'s March Through Marquette Park

Martin Luther King 1,000 Mile March | Marquette Park | Summer Guide | Chicago Reader
Martin Luther King 1,000 Mile March Marquette Park  Chicago 50 years ago

50 YEARS AFTER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S MARCH THROUGH MARQUETTE PARK,
CHICAGOANS GATHER TO COMMEMORATE AND MARCH AGAIN

Thousands of residents celebrate the triumphs and recognize ongoing challenges in communities across the city

Fifty years ago in 1966, Dr. King referred to the August march into Marquette Park and the efforts of the Chicago Freedom Movement that summer as the “first step in a one thousand mile journey.”
To commemorate  the  the historical protest, on August 5-6, 2016,  the 50th anniversary of the march, community members will celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and the Chicago Freedom Movement and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of organizers far and wide to strive towards a more just and equitable city.

For more than a decade, high school students, community organizers, public officials and religious leaders from all walks of life have worked towards building Chicago’s very first memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be located at the site of the historic 1966 Marquette Park March. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Memorial Project will commemorate the 50th anniversary of that historic August 5 event. Recalling the larger legacy of the March, and remembering the struggle for justice, equality and racial healing, is more urgent now than ever in our city, across our nation and around the world.

A Planning Committee and community Task Force comprised of a diverse cross-section of civic leaders, organizers, philanthropists, businesses and others from across the Chicago land area is behind this effort, led by the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.

Events include:

1. A private ceremony for the first permanent memorial in Chicago built to commemorate Dr. King and the Chicago Freedom Movement, attended by community activists, organizers, leaders and those that were involved in the 1966 movement.

2. A march by more than 700 Chicagoans along a half-mile portion of the original 1966 route through Marquette Park that will culminate at the memorial site.

3. A lively rally with celebrities, artists and activists at the annual the Takin’ It to the Streets Festival.

4. The public can learn more and register for the 1,000 Mile March at www.mlkmemorialchicago.org. Together, we will acknowledge how far we have come and how much farther we have to go.

Martin Luther King Jr. art installation to commemorate Marquette ... www.chicagotribune.com650 × 366Search by image ... commemorate Marquette Park march. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. art installation to commemorate Marquette …
www.chicagotribune.com650 × 366Search by image
… commemorate Marquette Park march. Martin Luther King Jr. memorial

The commemorative  celebration will take place over two days:
Friday, August 5 at 11 a.m.: Private Memorial Commemorative Ceremony
Marquette Park, near the intersection of Kedzie and 63rd Streets
RSVPs required by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 to bess_featherstone@jtpr.com
*Media call time: 10:15 a.m. for b-roll opportunity of Memorial prior to Ceremony across the street*
Saturday, August 6 at 9 a.m.: 1,000 Mile March
Three shot locations available, please RSVP for more details.
RSVPs required by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 5 to bess_featherstone@jtpr.com
*Media call time: 9:00 a.m., march will begin closer to 10:00 a.m.*
Saturday, August 6 at 10 a.m.: Takin’ It to the Streets Festival
Marquette Park, 6700 S. Sacramento, Chicago

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