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Protests Are an American Tradition. But Why at Restaurants? Protests Are an American Tradition. But Why at Restaurants?
(about 1 hour later)
George Recine, a Boston advertising executive, knew exactly where to eat lunch last week during a business trip to Philadelphia.George Recine, a Boston advertising executive, knew exactly where to eat lunch last week during a business trip to Philadelphia.
“What better place to stop by than Goldie?’” he said.“What better place to stop by than Goldie?’” he said.
Mr. Recine, 45, had read reports about a protest there a few days earlier that Pennsylvania’s governor and the White House had condemned as antisemitic. A crowd carrying Palestinian flags had gathered in front of the popular falafel restaurant, co-owned by an Israeli-born chef, and chanted, “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”Mr. Recine, 45, had read reports about a protest there a few days earlier that Pennsylvania’s governor and the White House had condemned as antisemitic. A crowd carrying Palestinian flags had gathered in front of the popular falafel restaurant, co-owned by an Israeli-born chef, and chanted, “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”
All Mr. Recine knew was that the owners had donated restaurant proceeds to an Israeli medical nonprofit organization that has supplied that nation’s troops with toiletries and gear in the Israel-Hamas war. He showed up to buy a falafel as a statement. He didn’t think an American restaurant serving Israeli food should be a target.All Mr. Recine knew was that the owners had donated restaurant proceeds to an Israeli medical nonprofit organization that has supplied that nation’s troops with toiletries and gear in the Israel-Hamas war. He showed up to buy a falafel as a statement. He didn’t think an American restaurant serving Israeli food should be a target.
Like the protesters, Mr. Recine was participating in a longstanding American practice: If you want to ignite social change or protest a war — or even just air an opinion — do it at a restaurant.
Why? Unlike many other businesses, restaurants often proclaim their nationality, ethnicity and sometimes the owners’ political views. And at a time when Americans of differing political tribes often stay in their own corners, a restaurant can serve as a de facto town square.