A Facebook page with two anonymous hosts announced a Mummers New Year’s Day protest against Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney.
The leaders of the Mummers organization said they did not support the protests and told their members to stay at home.
“Nothing is being organized. There is no official parade,” said Same Regalbuto, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association.
At 10 a.m., groups were seen gathering on the streets of South Philadelphia.
“As a person directly affected by COVID, we urge people to please stay at home and be safe with their families,” said Regalbuto.
Flyers were circulating through South Philadelphia this week to remind people that the city had canceled the parade due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
About 2,800 people signed and confirmed that they would attend the protest.
Michael McGrail was among those who planned to attend. He is not a member of any Mummers club, but had planned to hand out safety kits to those who wanted to attend Friday’s unofficial event.
“We’re just going to go down, prop up and give away free hand sanitizer to everyone,” said McGrail.
The city is urging people to stay home and stay safe.
Society Hill Beverage sits right in front of where the parade usually ends on Two Street.
“It hurts a little because we’re here, and we usually have a lot of business when they’re around here,” said Neil Mininger of Society Hill Beverage.
The mayor’s office said they won’t break the unofficial event, but if public safety is threatened, the police will intervene.
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