Philadelphia counterprotesters swarm six Jewish businesses during boycott ride

A planned bicycle rally in downtown Philadelphia on Sunday drew far more support for the local businesses it targeted than it did for the riders themselves. The event, organized by groups including Penn Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, aimed to spotlight six establishments labeled as Zionist by the activists. Those businesses included Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Dizengoff, and Schlesinger’s Delicatessen. Counterprotesters quickly outnumbered the riders, creating a dense crowd around Rittenhouse Square.

Tension rose for thirty minutes before the ride began, with masked riders and supporters interacting closely under a heavy police presence. Some scuffles broke out despite the law enforcement perimeter. Counterprotesters directed shouts at the masked cyclists, with one group chanting, “I would hide my face also … shame on you!” As the ride commenced, the crowds separated, and the cyclists pedaled around the square for between sixty and ninety minutes. A dominant chant heard during the loop was, “There is only one solution: intifada revolution!”

The Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America issued a statement disavowing the event, distancing itself from the actions of the cosponsors. While dozens of riders participated, hundreds of counterprotesters formed human barriers between the cyclists and the restaurant entrances. The disparity in numbers was stark, with supporters of the businesses appearing to dominate the visual and physical space of the protest zone.

Police maintained a significant presence throughout the duration of the event. Marti Lieberman, owner of Mac Mart, a kiosk selling macaroni and cheese, noted that fifteen officers were stationed outside her stand at one point. She described the interaction as positive, stating that the officers were talking, joking, and sharing food with her staff. Despite the calm demeanor of the police, three individuals were arrested during the day. Charges included assault, disorderly conduct, and one assault-on-police charge involving a seventeen-year-old.

The intended boycott strategy appeared to backfire as lunchtime lines extended far outside the doors of all six targeted eateries. One customer, who had traveled from New York, reported two-hour waits at each location. Staff at Schlesinger’s announced to customers that they could no longer accept takeout orders due to demand. Lieberman described the crowd as diverse in nationality and religion, noting calls from Australia and the United Kingdom. She stated, “We were totally overwhelmed.”

Lieberman, who started her business in 2013, said she believed her targeting stemmed from her visible religious affiliation in social media videos. She emphasized that Mac Mart had never mixed religion with business operations. “Mac Mart was made to feed everyone mac and cheese,” she said. Other business owners expressed surprise at the level of support, with one describing the event as the biggest bust of a boycott he had ever seen. He added that the restaurants had been made into “rock stars” by the influx of patrons.

Both sides of the event claimed the other had misrepresented their intentions. Philly Bike On Your Left, an organization associated with the ride, posted a statement to Instagram saying the event was “grossly misrepresented.” They asserted they stood against racism, fascism, and antisemitism. One unmasked bicycle rider told CBS News that he had been told he was antisemitic despite attending Shabbat services. He agreed that the timing near Kristallnacht’s anniversary was unfortunate but said organizers deemed any intended message behind that date “simply false.”

Lieberman argued that businesses are often bullied based on perceived politics without being asked directly about their views. She concluded the day on a positive note, saying the business is walking away with a lot of supporters. The event ended with the arrests processed and the square clearing, leaving the six businesses with a backlog of customers and a national audience.

The incident has drawn national attention, with the six businesses becoming central figures in the discourse. The contrast between the small group of riders and the large number of supporters highlighted the community’s reaction. Police reported the arrests and the general order maintained during the peak hours of the protest. The businesses continued to operate through the afternoon, serving the large crowds that gathered in their support.