When the West Side Burned: A WTTW Chicago Stories Documentary, Community Conversation and Concert

The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in April 1968 triggered unrest across the nation, but in Chicago, the resulting grief erupted into an unprecedented period of mourning and destruction on the city’s West Side. This event examines Dr. King’s deep ties to Chicago and the hope he inspired, exploring how his murder pushed long-simmering resentments over segregation to a boiling point. More importantly, it tells a story of resilience—honoring a neighborhood that continues to reclaim its future.