Six Jewish-owned restaurants targeted in Philadelphia boycott ride

A planned boycott bike ride in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square district will visit six Jewish-owned restaurants this Sunday, drawing immediate response from local and state leaders. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on November 8, which marks the day before the annual commemoration of Kristallnacht.

Organizers, including the group Philly Bike On Your Left, posted flyers to social media listing the six businesses. The flyers circle the names in red and cross them out. In a written statement, the organizers said the ride shows solidarity with Palestinians. They described the business owners as Zionists and accused them of supporting Israel.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called the timing of the event "deeply unsettling" in a public statement. He noted that Kristallnacht commemorates the destruction of Jewish citizens and businesses in Nazi Germany and Austria 88 years ago. Mayor Cherelle Parker said all residents have the right to protest peacefully but stated that business owners should not be singled out because they are Jewish.

The mayor has instructed the Philadelphia Police Department to prepare for large groups of people in the Rittenhouse Square streets this weekend. Andrew Goretsky, Senior Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, said the protest distinguishes between criticizing the government of Israel and telling Jewish business owners they do not belong in the city.

Goretsky stated that the timing is troubling because Kristallnacht marks the day Nazis destroyed 7,000 businesses in Germany during the Holocaust. Yehuda Sichel, owner of Huda on 19th Street, said the business will remain open Sunday despite the expected crowds. He noted that he is dealing in 2026 with the same experiences his grandparents and great-grandparents faced.

Marti Lieberman, owner of the Mac Mart at 18th and Arch, also confirmed her store will be open. She told social media followers, "Catch us this Sunday, we will be open." Lieberman said her staff of two is preparing for supporters. In an Instagram post, she wrote that the main purpose of the Mac Mart is to bring people together regardless of background or ideology.

Some business owners are asking supporters to consider returning after the weekend protests conclude to help manage the size of the crowds. The organizers declined an on-camera interview and referred reporters to their online statement.