Philly ‘Kristallnacht’ protests at Jewish-owned businesses drowned out, shouted down by huge crowds

Dozens of masked bikers protested Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square on Sunday, calling for them to leave the city. A large counter-protest supporting the businesses drowned out the boycott, which ended early after organisers cited safety concerns.

The protest took place on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom in Germany and Austria in which at least 91 Jews were killed. One targeted business owner said her mac and cheese shop had no connection to Israel and believed she was singled out for wearing a Star of David. Pennsylvania’s attorney general and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker condemned the boycott; the Anti-Defamation League urged people to visit the restaurants.