The Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) issued a statement Sunday, denouncing the criticism leveled against a recent bicycle-led boycott event that targeted local eateries owned by Jewish and pro-Israel individuals. The organization characterized the condemnation as "political repression of anti-Zionism."
The boycott event, promoted via a flyer last week by groups including Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo, and Philly Solidarity Calendar, involved a bicycle ride. It specifically named and targeted at least six restaurants located in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square area.
The planned event drew extensive criticism from both city and state officials, especially as its timing coincided with the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary. Kristallnacht refers to the 1938 Nazi pogrom, a period of widespread anti-Jewish violence in Germany and Austria.
On the day the boycott was held, Philly DSA criticized statements made by elected officials, labeling them as "bad-faith" and "dangerous" for asserting that the event's critics were antisemitic.
From the Senator [John] Fetterman and Congressman [Brendan] Boyle to Governor [Josh] Shapiro, Mayor [Cherelle] Parker, and Council President [Kenyatta] Johnson, politicians have joined a chorus of bad-faith and dangerous conflation of antisemitism with anti-Zionism and invoking comparisons to the Kristallnacht that trivialize trauma and suppress political speech,
the group said in a statement. They added,
These condemnations were not good-faith conversations about tactics.
Philly DSA Defends Anti-Zionist Stance
In its statement, Philly DSA clarified that it neither organized nor formally endorsed the boycott action. However, it accused city and state leaders of attempting "to delegitimize and chill acts of solidarity in the fight for Palestinian liberation" through what it termed "an unacceptable use of political power." The organization further alleged that elected officials were likely influenced to issue their statements by "Zionist" groups.
We know that organized Zionist lobbying groups actively and intensely pressure elected officials, including our own elected socialists, to issue these condemnations, manufacturing political controversy that shifts attention away from Israel's actions and toward those organizing in solidarity with Palestine,
the statement asserted.
Philly DSA explicitly stated it is not antisemitic and rejected any characterization of protests, such as the boycott, as antisemitic.
Jewish businesses and shops belong in Philadelphia: challenges to the violence of Zionist ideology do not dull this commitment to Jewish safety and belonging. DSA stands up and fights back against antisemitism, as we do for the dignity of all working people,
the statement concluded.
Community Response and Counter-Protest
Rosie Lapowsky, a spokesperson for Governor Shapiro, referenced an earlier statement from the governor's office regarding the boycott. Lapowsky stated last week, "The Shapiro Administration is aware of this planned protest and the Pennsylvania State Police is engaged with our local partners to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighbors in Philadelphia." She further characterized the event: "This bike ride, masquerading as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities, and there is no place for that in our Commonwealth."
On Sunday, hundreds of individuals from Jewish and pro-Israel communities gathered to counter the demonstration, leading to intense interactions spanning several city blocks. Additionally, numerous diners formed queues outside the specifically targeted restaurants, demonstrating support for the Jewish-owned establishments.
Various Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, such as the Israeli-American Council (IAC), also voiced their support for the targeted restaurants and urged others to follow suit.