45 years ago this week Hartford was a city in turmoil, as rioters destroyed property in the city’s north end in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. This Sunday on Face the State, we’ll take a look back at that dark period in our history.

I had hopes that the Channel 3 archives would contain copious amounts of film of that first week in April, but sadly, most of it has been lost. I did find some clips and you’ll see them on Sunday.

I’m airing a report I filed on the 25th anniversary of King’s death, and in it you’ll see that old film, along with interviews with former Hartford Mayors Ann Uccello and Carrie Saxon Perry. Perry was mayor in 1993, when I put together this piece, and Uccello was mayor during the riots. Against the warning of police and her advisors, Uccello insisted on going to the north end and talking with the rioters face to face.

Watch the flashback right here: http://www.wfsb.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8751318