Manhattan Country School eighth graders honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by taking to the streets of Manhattan to speak out about what they consider to be the most pressing civil rights issues of their time.

MCS families, alumni, staff, friends, supporters and the general public are invited to participate in this educational and uplifting annual event. As the oldest students at Manhattan Country School, the eighth-graders are responsible for planning this annual march—from choosing the theme and selecting the route to writing the speeches and publicizing the event. This march, now in its 35th year, is part of the school’s core curriculum, which includes activism and community building beginning in pre-K. 

2025 Route
Stop 1: Harriet Tubman Memorial (West 122nd Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard)
Approximate time: 10-10:40am

Route to next stop: Walk south on the west side of Frederick Douglass Boulevard at the northeast corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 110th Street, cross to:
Stop 2: Frederick Douglass Circle (Frederick Douglass Boulevard at West 110th Street)
Approximate time: 10:55-11:35am

Route to next stop: Cross to the northwest corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 110th Street. Walk west on the north side of West 110th Street. At the northeast corner of West 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, turn right until we get to:
Stop 3: St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Avenue)
Approximate time: 11:50am-12:30pm

Route to next stop: Walk south on the east side of Amsterdam Avenue. At the northeast corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 110th Street, turn right. Walk west on the north side of West 110th Street. At the northwest corner of West 110th Street and Broadway, turn right. Walk south on the west side of Broadway. At the northwest corner of Broadway and West 108th Street, turn right. Walk west on the north side of West 108th Street. Cross Riverside Drive and turn left, walking south on the pedestrian path following Riverside Drive. At the northwest corner of Riverside Drive and West 86th Street, cross to:
Stop 4: West Side Campaign Against Hunger (263 West 86th Street)
Approximate time: 1-1:15pm

Route to next stop: Walk east on the north side of West 86th Street . At the northeast corner of West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, turn right. Walk south on the east side of Amsterdam Avenue. At the southeast corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 85th Street, turn left, getting to:
Stop 5: Manhattan Country School (150 West 85th Street)
Approximate time: 1:30-2pm