Over 50 people who attended the Phillies game against the Marlins on Thursday night say they were ejected for spelling out a pro-Palestinian message in the stands.
Jewish Voice for Peace Philadelphia, which has participated in numerous city protests against Israel's offensive in Gaza, said its members and supporters were "forcibly removed" after holding up posters reading "Philly Jews Say Free Palestine & Go Phils!" According to the organization, "dozens of security guards" escorted the group, which included children, out of Citizens Bank Park. Representatives for the team did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The demonstrators' posters spelled out “Philly Jews Say Free Palestine & Go Phils!”
The demonstrators planned their action for the ballpark's Jewish Community Celebration. Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari, a senior rabbi at Kol Tzedek synagogue in West Philly, was one of the organizers in attendance.
"We're taught in Jewish tradition that if you know injustice and you don't speak out against it, you are held accountable," he said in a video. "There's no business as usual. It's never again for anyone and we're here at the Phillies game to show that part of our Jewish heritage and part of how we really embody our Jewish values and honor our Jewish ancestors is to say free Palestine everywhere we are, including here at the Phillies game.
"So go Phils, free Palestine and let this be the year that Palestine is free."
The demonstrators said their banner was a reference to Jewish actress Hannah Einbinder's recent Emmys acceptance speech, during which the "Hacks" star said, "Go Birds, f— ICE and free Palestine." Einbinder sent her support via a comment under the group's social media post sharing photos and videos of the action.
"YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! crying!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️," she wrote.
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