A Facebook page with two anonymous hosts declared a Mummers’ New Year’s Day protest against Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
Leaders of pantomime organizations said they did not support the protests and told their members to stay home.
“There is nothing organized. There is no official parade,” said Same Regalbuto, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association.
At about 10 am, groups were seen gathering on the streets of South Philadelphia.
“As a person who has been directly affected by COVID, we ask people to stay at home and be safe with their families,” said Regalbuto.
Pamphlets were circulating throughout Southern Philadelphia this week, reminding people that the city had canceled the parade due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Some 2,800 people signed and confirmed that they would attend the protest.
Michael McGrail was one of those who planned to attend. He is not a member of any Mummers club, but he intended to distribute security kits to those who wished to attend Friday’s unofficial event.
“We are just going to go down there, parade and give hand sanitizer for free to everyone,” said McGrail.
The city is asking people to stay home and safe.
Society Hill Beverage is directly across from where the parade usually ends on Two Street.
“It hurts a little bit because we’re here and we usually have a lot of business when we’re around,” said Neil Mininger of Society Hill Beverage.
The mayor’s office said it will not interrupt the unofficial event, but if public security is threatened, the police will intervene.
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