Chicago's first permanent memorial to Dr. King
Honoring history, making history.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Memorial Project commemorates the 1966 Marquette Park march and carries its call for justice into the life of the city today.
The mission
A living memorial, not only a monument
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Memorial Project commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's historic August 5, 1966 march through Chicago's Marquette Park. Recalling the larger legacy of the march, and remembering the struggle for justice and equity, is more urgent now than ever in our city, across our nation and around the world.
For more than a decade, high school students, community organizers, public officials and religious leaders from all walks of life have worked toward building Chicago's very first memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The memorial is the centerpiece of a wider set of programs that remember the march and invest in the people who continue it.
The project
Four ways the legacy lives
The memorial is the centerpiece of a wider set of programs that remember the march and invest in the people who continue it.
The Living Memorial
Chicago's first permanent memorial to Dr. King, built from brick that echoes the homes of Marquette Park and unveiled on August 5, 2016.
Explore the memorialThe 1000 Mile March
A recreation of a portion of Dr. King's 1966 march into Marquette Park, gathered in unity for peace and justice on August 6, 2016.
About the marchTakin' It to the Streets
An international festival and summit where artistic expression, spirituality and urban creativity inspire social change.
Festival and summit1000 Mile Scholars
A fellowship that places more than a dozen young leaders with organizations working in the spirit of Dr. King.
Meet the program
The history
The first step on a 1,000 mile journey
On August 5, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a diverse group of 700 civil rights activists, religious leaders and courageous community members marched to Chicago's Marquette Park to protest housing segregation.
Dr. King reflected on the march as "the first step on a 1,000 mile journey." Occurring in a major Northern city, the march is as integral to his legacy as the March from Selma to Montgomery or the March on Washington.
1000 Mile Journey
Stories from the people who were there
The multimedia series captures the stories of individuals directly involved in the 1966 march and honors current leaders working on the front lines.
In the media
The project in the news
Crain's Chicago Business
"Obama singled out a longtime Chicago activist and nonprofit leader working on the city's Southwest Side."
Read the coverageCBS TV Chicago
"Work is underway on what organizers call the city's first ever memorial here."
Read the coverageChicago Tonight
"Rami Nashashibi joins us to discuss Muslim relations and to share his story."
Read the coverageShow your support
This work is only possible with you
The memorial represents the efforts of families, communities and institutions from across the Chicagoland area. Add your support to the next chapter.