Activism in Central Park Tour
Follow in the footsteps of trailblazing activists and explore history of civic expression in the Park.
Did you know that in 1967, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a protest and gave a speech in Central Park? In doing so, he joined and helped re-ignite a long tradition of activism in the Park. From the urban parks movement in the 1800s to contemporary Black Lives Matter demonstrations, civic activism has defined Central Park no less than its woodlands and meadows.
In this special tour, Conservancy guides will lead you in the literal footsteps of famed as well as lesser-known social activists and share how these trailblazers have shaped the story of Central Park as a democratic space where people feel empowered to use their voice and take a stand.
Photo: An antiwar demonstration in Central Park, 1969 (Hartmut Schmidt)