Philadelphia Boycott Ride Targeting Jewish Restaurants Draws Hundreds of Counterprotesters; Three Arrested
A group of cyclists launched a "boycott ride" targeting Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia at noon on November 8 in Rittenhouse Square, drawing hundreds of counterprotesters. Police arrested three people and reported no property damage.
The organizer, Philly Bike On Your Left, which describes itself as an anti-fascist, anti-Zionist cycling collective, said the ride targeted six businesses it described as supporters of Israel: Mac Mart, K'Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger's and Dizengoff. Philadelphia police estimated about 300 pro-Palestinian protesters and about 200 pro-Israel counterprotesters at the scene. Officers formed lines between the two groups as they exchanged heated words.
Police said the three people arrested were an adult woman accused of assault, an adult man accused of disorderly conduct and a 17-year-old boy accused of assaulting police. All demonstrators had dispersed by just after 1 p.m.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker had condemned the ride in advance. Shapiro's office said it was intended to intimidate Jewish businesses out of the community, and Parker said singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish has no place in the city. The ride fell on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against synagogues, Jewish businesses and homes in Germany and Austria.
Source: Philadelphia Police Department
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：费城市政厅。CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Philadelphia City Hall. CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
