Philadelphia Responds to Hate With Unity and Solidarity

Philadelphia, PA, November 11, 2026 ... The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Philadelphia, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey and StandWithUs extend our sincere gratitude to the elected officials, community leaders, local businesses and community members who stood in solidarity with Jewish- and Israeli-owned businesses targeted by Sunday's organized “Boycott Ride” in Center City Philadelphia.

What was intended to intimidate and isolate members of our community instead inspired an extraordinary outpouring of unity, resilience and support.

We also recognize Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, state Sens. Judy Schwank, Sharif Street and Anthony H. Williams, state Reps. Ben Waxman, Amen Brown and Tarik Khan, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, City Council member Anthony Phillips, Pastor Carl Day of Culture Changing Christians, representatives from the office of City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and Holy Family University for their participation in Friday’s solidarity lunch ahead of the planned demonstration. Their presence sent a powerful message of unity and support to the affected business owners and Philadelphia’s Jewish community.

We are equally grateful to the elected officials and civic leaders at the local, state and federal levels who publicly condemned the targeting of Jewish-owned businesses and spoke out against antisemitism, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans, Mary Gay Scanlon and Madeleine Dean, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, state Sens. Judy Schwank, Joe Picozzi, Amanda Cappelletti and Art Haywood, state Reps. Dan Frankel, Malcolm Kenyatta, Mary Isaacson, Tarik Khan, Jared Solomon, Amen Brown and Ben Waxman, and City Council members Mark Squilla, Rue Landau, Jim Harrity and Jeffery Young Jr.

We also appreciate the statements of support from elected officials beyond our region, including U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen and U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross, Josh Gottheimer, Lois Frankel and Brad Schneider, as well as local and regional civic leaders who stood with our community.

Their statements, together with the visible solidarity demonstrated across our city, reinforced a clear and united message: Antisemitism has no place in Philadelphia, and Jewish-owned businesses are an essential part of our community.

We thank the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Troopers as well as other law enforcement agencies for its efforts to maintain public safety and protect the rights of all Philadelphians.

We are particularly moved by the local businesses and business owners who stood alongside their Jewish neighbors. Their willingness to speak out against hatred and intimidation reminds us that standing up for one another is a responsibility we all share. These acts of solidarity matter, especially when they come from people who are not themselves the targets of discrimination.

Behind every storefront are people — owners, employees and families who contribute to the neighborhoods we call home. These restaurants are gathering places where friends meet, families celebrate and neighbors connect. No one should have to worry that their identity or heritage will make them or their livelihood a target for intimidation.

To everyone who showed their support by sharing a meal, shopping locally, offering words of encouragement or simply showing up: Thank you. Your actions made clear to these business owners and their employees that they are valued, supported and not alone.

The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy. So, too, is the right of every individual to live and work free from discrimination and intimidation. Targeting businesses because of their owners' Jewish identity, heritage or perceived political beliefs is unacceptable.

Our collective responsibility does not end with Sunday's demonstration. We will continue working with elected officials, law enforcement and community partners to confront antisemitism, protect our neighbors and ensure that Philadelphia remains a city where everyone can live, work and thrive safely.

Those who seek to divide our city will not define it. The people who stood together this weekend have shown what Philadelphia stands for.

We encourage all Philadelphians to continue supporting the businesses that were targeted and those that stood in solidarity with them. Together, we will continue building a community defined not by hatred or division, but by courage, compassion and unity.