Planned bike protest of Jewish-owned businesses in Rittenhouse Square draws opposition – WHYY

Planned bike protest of Jewish-owned businesses in Rittenhouse Square draws opposition  WHYY

The social media stir comes from groups with no recognizable leader calling for a boycott of Jewish-owned restaurants in and around Rittenhouse Square. From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know! A bicycle protest planned for Sunday, Nov. 8 is calling for a boycott of six Jewish-owned Philadelphia businesses near Rittenhouse Square in hopes of shutting them down. The protest gained attention through posters hung on street corners around Rittenhouse and via social media postings using the handle phillybike.onyourleft on Instagram. The posters identified a group calling itself Philly Biking On The Left as the chief organizer of the protest against “Zionist Establishments.” Rittenhouse Square is the starting point for a boycott ride organized by Philly Bike On Your Left, a pro-Palestine organization.

The group is targeting six businesses in the area. (Emma Lee/WHYY) In the post on Instagram, the group encouraged bike riders to join them, calling the Jewish business owners names. After the signs and social media posts spread, the planned boycott bike ride has become a pro-Israel rallying call to fight against anti-semitism and hate. None of the organizations listed as supporting the effort have any notable presence on social media or have identifiable leaders. “I’m kind of used to being targeted,” said