In Chicago in 1966 Dr. Martin Luther King spoke to the crowd on the west side in the alley. This style of rear porch is a signature of Chicago housing. A permit wasn’t required for the rear of the building. He spoke in the community where he took residency. That move drew national attention.

Back Porch

On Sunday, July 10, 1966, a "Freedom Rally" was held at Chicago's largest stadium - Soldier Field. The rally was sponsored by Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCUO). The estimated crowd was 65,000. Stressing the importance of nonviolence, he said, "We must affirm that we will withdraw economic support from any company that will not provide on-the-job training and employ an adequate number of Negroes, Puerto Ricans and other ethnic minorities in the higher paying jobs."

Freedom Rally

The Reverend Archibald Carey and Dr. King in the Quinn African Methodist Episcopal Church. This, at the time, was the oldest Black church in Chicago.

Behind the Pulpit

As he addressed the largest civil rights rally ever held in Chicago, he spoke on human rights: "We must make full and constructive use of the freedom we already possess. Many doors of opportunity are opening to the young people today that were not open to our mothers and fathers.”

Doors of Opportunity

In Chicago, IL in 1966 Martin Luther King moved into an apartment in Chicago to combat urban living conditions. He held rallies throughout the churchess in the city to bring an end to slums. They deemed this The Chicago Freedom Movement.

The Chicago Freedom Movement 

In Chicago in 1966 Dr. King and the press walk Hamlin Street. On his right is famed Chicago reporter Mike Royko and on his left is a young reporter, Don Cornelius who would go on to create the famous TV Show, Soul Train.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Inaugural Private Sale

On Sunday, July 10, 1966, a "Freedom Rally" was held at Chicago's largest stadium - Soldier Field. The rally was sponsored by Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCUO). The estimated crowd was 65,000.

Soldier Field

In Chicago on a Sunday afternoon in March of 1965, leaving Liberty Baptist Church on 49th and South Parkway, after having addressed a crowd of 5000 at the morning services, Dr. King stopped the car. He stopped the entire motorcade of cars to greet a young child.

The Next Generation

On Sunday, July 10, 1966, a "Freedom Rally" was held at Chicago's largest stadium Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. waits to speak sitting next to one of his closest friends and favorite singers, Mahalia Jackson. Aware of the photographer, Dr. King smiles and holds a refreshing Coca-Cola.

A Moment with Mahalia Jackson

On January 26, 1966, Dr. King and his wife Coretta moved into a slum on Chicago's west side to dramatize housing problems. The North Lawndale apartment was a three-flight walkup and rented for $90 a month. Immediately after they moved in, the building was improved with painting, sanitation and other surface changes.

The Move In

In Chicago, IL in 1966 Martin Luther King moved into an apartment in Chicago to combat urban living conditions. He held rallies in churches throughout the city to bring an end to slums. He listened to local residents and he spoke. During this Chicago Freedom Movement, Dr. King said, "We must decide to fill up the jails of Chicago, if necessary in order to end slums."

End Slums

Albert Anderson Raby and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are side by side. Al Raby was a Chicago Public School teacher turned African American civil rights activist. He extended the invitation for Dr. King to come to Chicago. Years later, he was the campaign manager for Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor.

Words Matter

In Chicago, IL in 1966 Martin Luther King moved into an apartment in Chicago to combat urban living conditions. He held rallies throughout the communities in the city to bring an end to slums. They deemed this The Chicago Freedom Movement.

Street Sermons

This was a familiar site during the Chicago Freedom Movement. Black and White men of faith, arm in arm in solidarity. The typical closing of a meeting was to stand hand over hand and sing the hymn "We Shall Overcome."

We Shall Overcome

In Chicago in 1966, Dr. King appears at a press conference on welfare rights.

Making History

John Tweedle

The Obsidian Collection, an entrusted organization of unique archives of Black culture, will be bringing 15 NFTs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s joy, laughter, and connection to auction from his historical visit to Chicago in 1966. These rare photographs were entrusted by the family of legendary photographer, John Tweedle, to Hermene Hartman. In keeping with history being accurately told, Hartman is releasing NFTs of these images on the immutable blockchain on Juneteenth 2022.