The Harlem Riot of 1964, also known as the Harlem Rebellion, took place in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City from July 16 to 22, 1964. The riot was sparked by the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old African American teenager, James Powell, by a white off-duty police officer, Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan.

The shooting of Powell occurred after an altercation between him and the police officer, which escalated tensions between the Black community and the police force. The incident was a catalyst for longstanding grievances related to police brutality, systemic racism, and economic disparities faced by the African American community in Harlem.

The Harlem Riot of 1964 resulted in widespread civil unrest, with rioters looting stores, setting fires, and clashing with law enforcement. The National Guard was called in to restore order, and hundreds of people were arrested during the chaos.

The Harlem Riot of 1964 highlighted the deep-seated issues of racial injustice and police misconduct that plagued African American communities in the 1960s. The unrest served as a wake-up call for the need to address these issues and work towards social and economic equality for Black Americans.