On April 22, 1964, the opening day of the New York World’s Fair was met with mass civil rights demonstrations. In a bold protest against racial segregation and economic inequality, 294 demonstrators were arrested by the NYPD. Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and other activists, the demonstration aimed to highlight hypocrisy in America’s celebration of “progress” while systemic racism remained deeply entrenched. The protest brought national attention to ongoing discrimination in housing, jobs, and education—issues the fair chose to ignore. It marked a pivotal moment in New York’s civil rights history, bridging activism, visibility, and resistance.
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