Sign truck drives around inauguration, thanks Mayor Parker for support of Israel

A digital sign thanking Cherelle Parker for her support of Israel is circling inauguration events in Philadelphia on Tuesday. 

A truck with LED screens proclaiming “Thank you, Mayor Parker!” and featuring the new Philadelphia mayor holding a sign saying “Philly stands with Israel” has been driving around the city on the day of Parker and elected officials’ being sworn into office. It also features a quote from Parker saying “I am proud to stand with Philadelphia’s Jewish community in support of Israel against terrorism.” 

The sign is similar to the digital billboards thanking U.S. Sen. John Fetterman that were seen outside the Pennsylvania Society events in Manhattan last month – messages organized by about a dozen Jewish people from Pennsylvania and other parts of the country. Ari Mittleman, an author, podcast host and former staffer for Sen. Bob Casey whom City & State has previously worked with on events, said the displays were funded and organized by a group of concerned citizens, including Philadelphians who wanted to push back against what they see as antisemitic demonstrations occurring in the city. 

“The rise in antisemitism on the streets of Philadelphia is a five-alarm fire that must be extinguished. The second-oldest synagogue in the country is in Philadelphia. The Jewish community has been an integral part of the commonwealth’s history. Yet, Jewish Pennsylvanians are feeling singled out, targeted and isolated,” Mittleman, who now lives in Maryland, said. “The new mayor has made history and has an impressive track record of being a uniter. Now, more than ever before in recent history, we need a unifying and calming voice in the City of Brotherly Love.”

The sign has been seen driving around the Met, where Parker’s inauguration was held Tuesday morning, as well as The Fillmore, where Parker and officials are hosting a celebration Tuesday night. The organized effort also comes amid calls for a cease-fire and continuing demonstrations in cities throughout the country. 

"I feel it is very important that the Jewish community thank our elected officials who show the strength to both condemn antisemitism and stand up for the right for Israel to exist as a nation and protect its citizens against terrorist organizations that call for it's destruction as well as for killing it's Jewish citizens,” Marc Oppenheimer, an organizer and Philadelphia resident, said in a statement. “Mayor Parker has done both of those things, and I believe she will continue to focus on bringing unity to the Philadelphia community and push back against the forces that sow hate and divide between different ethnic and religious communities."

Parker couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.