The Harlem Riot of 1964, also known as the Harlem Race Riot, was a series of violent disturbances that occurred in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City in July 1964. The riot was sparked by the arrest of a young Black man, James Powell, who was involved in a dispute with off-duty police officer John Kirschner.

The incident escalated tensions between the African American community and the police, as many residents perceived Powell's arrest as another example of police brutality and racial discrimination. The rioting began on July 16, 1964, and lasted for several days, resulting in widespread looting, property damage, and confrontation between protesters and law enforcement.

The Harlem Riot of 1964 was part of a broader wave of civil unrest and demonstrations that swept across the United States during the 1960s, as African Americans and other marginalized communities demanded an end to racial segregation, discrimination, and economic inequality.

The events of the Harlem Riot of 1964 highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions and social injustices that persisted in American society at the time, and it was a catalyst for further activism and advocacy for civil rights and equality.