Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement

Click here to sign up to march with St. Luke's at "The 1,000 Mile March"

On August 5, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a diverse group of 700 civil rights activists, religious leaders and courageous community members from across the city marched to Chicago's Marquette Park. As part of the Chicago Freedom Movement, King led this march to protest housing segregation. They confronted thousands of violent protesters who hurled rocks and bottles, carrying denigrating signs and messages.Dr. King reflected on the Marquette Park March as "the first step on a 1,000 mile journey." This march, occurring in a major Northern city, is as integral to the legacy of Dr. King and the history of the civil rights movement as the march from Selma to Montgomery or the March on Washington.In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of this defining moment in the movement for civil rights, the MLK Chicago Living Memorial has invited all people of faith and goodwill across the city of Chicago to join them for "The 1,000 Mile March" on Saturday, August 6, 2016 beginning at 9am.

Click here to sign up to march with St. Luke's at "The 1,000 Mile March"

The 1,000 Mile March will recreate a portion of King's historic 1966 march into Marquette Park and celebrate the tremendous efforts of community members, organizations and institutions to create a more just city, while recognizing that we still have many more miles to go. King marched with 700 others that August 5th day, and this year's 1,000 Mile March will bring that many people and more together from across the city and country to gather in unity and march for peace and justice on Saturday, August 6, 2016.Registration is $25 per marcher, which will help pay for security and other march expenses.

The Takin' It to the Streets Festival

Following the "1,000 Mile March" there will be a day-long, international festival showcasing artistic expression, spirituality and urban creativity in service of social change. This year's "Takin' It to the Streets" festival will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy in Marquette Park using the power of art, activism and relationship-building to radically re-imagine the city of Chicago and the wider world. The 1,000 Mile March will lead into Marquette Park that morning and will kick off the festival that afternoon. The festival will engage thousands of people through music, dance, family activities, inspirational talks, and an open-air bazaar.