Martin Luther King Day: Take Action & What's Open, Closed In NYC

Matt Troutman
·4 min read
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NEW YORK CITY — Martin Luther King Day doesn't have to be a normal day off for New York City in 2022.

Many Americans, including New Yorkers, plan to use the holiday to take a stand in support of voting rights.

The late civil rights activist's family called on President Joe Biden and U.S. senators to either restore and expand voting rights in honor of King's legacy or skip the celebration of his namesake holiday.

"Voting is an essential part of our democracy's infrastructure," Arndrea Waters King said in a statement. Waters King is the wife of Martin Luther King III, the son of the slain civil rights icon.

“We cannot afford for it to crumble any further," she added.

The King family's call is fueled by at least 400 voter suppression bills introduced during the first five months of 2021, according to a report by Insider citing data from the Voting Rights Lab.

Biden echoed the call in a recent speech, which drew fierce criticism from Republicans. He urged senators to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

"The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation," he said. "Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of (the) United States Senate stand?"

Many events in New York City will follow the King family's "no celebration" call.

"No Celebration Without Legislation" by York College's Africana Studies Center offers an online event focused on action. A lineup of guest speakers, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Rep. Gregory Meeks, will offer thoughts on the holiday and need for legislation. People can register here.

The Apollo Theater and WNYC will run a similar event on MLK Day at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. People can watch through the theater's digital stage or on YouTube. More information can be found here.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music is offering what it bills as the city's "largest public celebration in honor of Dr. King."

"Led by keynote speaker Dr. Imani Perry, this year’s tribute encourages us to continue in Dr. King’s radical spirit: relentlessly pressing forward in pursuit of justice—even against the odds—and celebrating the strength and power of community to create change," the event's website states.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. and is free to attend. It can also be livestreamed with an RSVP.

More traditional events focused on community action are offered through the city's parks department. Those are:

  • BRONX: Invasive Species RemovalSeton Falls Park, Boller Ave & Crawford Ave. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. "Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help restore the forest and create a healthier ecosystem. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty."

  • BROOKLYN: East New York Street Tree Care Miller Ave & Blake Ave. 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. "Volunteers will work with us to care for local street trees! Volunteers will learn how to aerate, cultivate, mulch, and identify street trees. They will also learn about the important roles street trees play in New York City. Volunteers should dress in clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes."

  • QUEENS: Forest Park Invasive Species Removal Myrtle Ave, Union Tpke, Park Lane S. 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. :Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help restore the forest and create a healthier ecosystem. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty."

All the parks events have limited space and require registration here.

MLK Day also counts as a holiday for many businesses and institutions across the city.

Here's what's open and closed.

Government Buildings

  • New York City public schools will be closed.

  • City, state and federal government buildings, including post offices, will be closed.

  • Mail will not be delivered.

  • Many banks will likely be closed, as Monday is a U.S. Federal Reserve holiday.

  • Libraries will be closed.

Subways And Buses

  • Subways and Staten Island Railway will operate on regular weekday schedules, albeit with potential changes because of recent COVID-19 shortages. Straphangers should use the MYmta app or https://new.mta.info/ to plan their trips.

  • Buses will run on a modified weekday schedule, with minor adjustments to the regular weekday schedule. The following express and Limited routes will not run: SIM4x, SIM8x, M1 Ltd, M4 Ltd, Q4 Ltd, Q5 Ltd, Q6 Ltd, Q17 Ltd, Q25 Ltd, Q27 Ltd, Q36 Ltd, Q43 Ltd, Q46 Ltd, Q65 Ltd, Q83 Ltd, Q85 Ltd, S81 Ltd, S84 Ltd, S86 Ltd, S91 Ltd, S92 Ltd, S94 Ltd, S96 Ltd, and S98 Ltd.

Trash Collection

  • No regular collection is planned.

  • Sanitation workers will be conducting snow operations if a forecasted winter storm comes to fruition.

This article originally appeared on the New York City Patch