Why It Matters
Pennsylvania and Philadelphia officials are condemning a planned bicycle protest targeting Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.
What Happened
The ride is expected Sunday, on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Philly Bike On Your Left, which describes itself as anti-Zionist, is organizing the event as a boycott ride past Jewish-owned restaurants.
Organizers listed six restaurants in a flyer. Officials and local Jewish organizations said the businesses are operated by Jewish owners, though the restaurant names were not provided in the available information.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called the planned boycott “deeply unsettling.” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office called the event “blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities.”
By the Numbers
- Sunday: Expected date of the bicycle boycott ride.
- Six: Restaurants named in the organizers’ flyer.
- 88th: Anniversary of Kristallnacht falling the day after the planned ride.
- 2023: Year protesters gathered outside Goldie near Rittenhouse Square.
Zoom Out
Goldie is co-owned by Israeli-born chef Michael Solomonov, who also co-owns CookNSolo Restaurants. The company operates several restaurants in the area and declined to comment on the planned protest.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also condemned the event, calling it “antisemitism disguised as activism.”
What’s Next
The Pennsylvania State Police is coordinating with local partners on safety in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Department will be present during the demonstration.
Mayor Parker said people who engage in threats, intimidation, or unlawful conduct will be held accountable.
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