Chicago Freedom Summer remembered in Marquette Park march

Several thousand people from across the city and suburbs gathered Saturday, Aug. 6, at 63rd and Kedzie on Chicago’s Southwest Side to retrace the steps of a march by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his allies 50 years ago.

Dr. King referred to the August 1966 march into Marquette Park and the other efforts of the Chicago Freedom Movement that summer as the “first step in a one thousand mile journey.” In many ways, that march, as well as the series of organizing efforts associated with the Movement, “was about challenging a divided city and reclaiming the notion of home for families denied the basic human right to live freely in thriving communities,” cording to organizers of the 50th anniversary events.

The morning began with a rally and several speakers, and then marchers drummed, chanted and walked the half mile to Marquette Park, where a large stage was set up for speakers and performers. Across the street was the newly dedicated statue paying tribute to the original march and subsequent social justice movements.

In 1966, King and and supporters were greeted by thousands of racists, and King was among those who were struck by rocks. The ugly incident showed America that violent racism was not limited to the South.

The 1966 efforts were aimed at the economic racism facing many Blacks, as banks and landlords refused to sell to, or rent to, Blacks in many areas of the city, a process known as “redlining.”

LGBTs were among those marching Saturday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ideoseries