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Counterprotesters Overwhelm Anti-Zionist Bike Rally in Philadelphia

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Faith Desk

In Short: Counterprotesters vastly outnumbered participants at a bike rally targeting Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia, drawing support from across the region.

A planned Sunday bike rally targeting Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia drew a surprisingly small turnout, as counter-protesters from across the region showed up in force, outnumbering participants by at least 10 to 1, according to sources.

Amen Brown, a representative from West Philadelphia, said he had patronized his third Jewish business on Sunday and was impressed by the numbers of Jewish Philadelphians who outnumbered the protesters by 30 to 1. He emphasized that the community's response was unexpected.

Allan Domb, owner of Schlesinger’s Deli, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the Philadelphia community and beyond. He noted that people had traveled from New York, West Chester, Harrisburg, Maryland, Delaware, and the Jersey Shore to show their support.

Eli R., dressed as a Holocaust concentration camp prisoner and waving the Israeli flag, said he was born in Israel and now lives in Philadelphia. He highlighted the significance of the communal response.

The Philadelphia Police Department reported that three people were arrested during the event, with two officers sustaining minor injuries during one arrest.

Rally organizers said the timing was coincidental, but the event was widely condemned by city and state leaders, Jewish groups, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The 'Boycott Ride' was organized by the self-proclaimed 'anti-fascist, anti-Zionist' social cycling group Philly Bike On Your Left, which called for the boycott of six Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square.

The event was met with hostility, and counterprotesters vastly outnumbered the relatively small contingent of 'Boycott Ride' participants, most of whom wore masks and sunglasses to conceal their faces.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department said that three people were arrested during the event: Two Philadelphia officers were hurt with minor injuries during the arrest of one person.
• The group, Philly Bike On Your Left, had organized the ride to “show these zionist business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are,” according to an Instagram post since deleted.
• Rally organizers said the timing — just before the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, when Nazis attacked Jewish shops and homes — was coincidental.
• The Philadelphia Police Department said three people were arrested at the demonstration on Sunday, and no property damage was reported.
• The protest was organized by the self-proclaimed “anti-fascist, anti-Zionist” social cycling group Philly Bike On Your Left.
• “Running over Jewish businesses isn’t a peace plan,” the billboards said.
• Photo: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday to support Jewish and Israeli-owned restaurants in Philadelphia’s Center City that were being targeted by a “boycott ride” bicycle protest because of their support for Israel.

What's still developing

• Antisemitic manifestations at Sunday’s event included a sign reading “Money loving Zionists.” CAM CEO Sacha Roytman praised the communal response to the bike ride.
• Greater Philadelphia has about 350,000 Jewish residents, with about 200,000 living in the city, according to a 2019 study by the federation.
• Singer Ed Sheeran gave a speech to the crowd before his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night about the controversy he found himself embroiled in with Macklemore.
• Sheeran, who is scheduled to perform Saturday in Philadelphia, said the decision to cut Macklemore from the Loop Tour was the promoter’s, not his own.
• Ed Sheeran addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the removal of Macklemore from his Loop Tour during Saturday’s stop in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Stadium.

Sources

• Algemeiner.comlink
• Broad + Libertylink
• Combat Antisemitism Movementlink
• Deseret Newslink
• FOX 29 Philadelphialink
• NBC10 Philadelphialink
• PhillyVoicelink
• Religionnewslink
• The Forwardlink
• The Post Millenniallink
• Worthynewslink
• Washingtonexaminerlink
• NBC Newslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• Jewishpostandnewslink
• Sun-Sentinellink
• CBS Philadelphia — video link