Philadelphia: The Nakba never ended!
Nakba Day (May 15) was observed in Philadelphia with banner drops and displays around the city and an early evening rally and march through Center City.
Nakba Day protesters march through Center City, Philadelphia, May 15, 2026. (WW Photo: Joe Piette)
Starting early in the morning, banners were displayed around the city that proclaimed that the Nakba, which began with the expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948, continues to this day. A banner stating that all hospitals in Gaza were destroyed was hung near the University of Pennsylvania hospital. Another banner mentioning Israel’s intentional murder of journalists hung from an overpass above the 676 expressway.
Other banners were hung in highly visible locations. One hung above the 76 expressway pointed out that over $300 billion in U.S. tax dollars have funded Israeli genocide and land theft in Palestine since 1948. Another boldly stated: “NAKBA Never Ended — Don’t Look Away!”
During the day, activists held a banner outside Philadelphia School District headquarters that read, “From Philly to Uhm Al-Khair, Stop Shuttering Schools.” Outside Philadelphia City Hall, a banner sponsored by Mobilization4Mumia drew attention to the Nakba.
Over 100 activists rallied in Rittenhouse Square at 6:00 p.m., then marched through Center City. Activists carried several banners critical of the Zionist Israel/U.S. Nakba that continues to this day.
The demonstration targeted the genocide-supporting restaurant Goldies on Sansom Street and weapons manufacturer Day & Zimmermann on Market Street. The demonstration drew the attention and support of many shoppers and diners and ended with a final rally at City Hall.
