Teaching Activities (Free)

Martin Luther King in New York City

Teaching Activity. By Jeanne Theoharis and Jessica Lovaas. 2026. 10 pages.
Reading, discussion questions, and activity about Martin Luther King’s activism in New York on labor rights, police brutality, housing, and education. The reading is from a chapter in King of the North: Martin Luther King’s Freedom Struggle Outside of the South.

Time Periods: 1961–1974

Themes: African American, Civil Rights Movements

Levels: High School

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We offer a reading, discussion questions, and activity about Martin Luther King’s activism in New York on labor rights, police brutality, housing, and education. The reading is from a chapter in King of the North: Martin Luther King’s Freedom Struggle Outside of the South by Jeanne Theoharis.

New York City high school teacher Jessica Lovaas adapted the text for her students and wrote discussion questions.

There is also an activity by Theoharis. Students compare a New York Times editorial critical of the 1964 New York City school boycott with a response by Dr. King in the Amsterdam News, where he argues that the boycott was essential. Students can identify parallels with the mainstream press and politicians’ responses to protests today.

Click the Download to Read in Full button for the full reading, questions, and activity.

Download to Read in Full