PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hundreds of people stepped up against hate Sunday, for a walk to raise money in the fight against bigotry.
Since 1913, the Anti-Defamation League has fought against antisemitism and other forms of hate. Dan Keefer, ADL Philadelphia's associate director of development, said they've been busier than ever with that mission over the last few years.
"Unfortunately ADL has seen an increase in acts of hate and antisemitism," Keefer said. According to their tracking, there was a 34% increase in antisemitic incidents across the country, compared to 2020, "our largest amount of antisemitic acts in our history since we started tracking it in the 1970s."
Hundreds gathered Sunday morning at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for ADL's Walk Against Hate, their first in-person walk in Philly since 2019.
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Keefer said this walk is needed now more than ever. "It convenes people from all walks of life, showing that we're all walking together and that we stand together for a better future."
"We're able to touch people who typically we don't touch everyday," said Lisa Welsch, ADL Philadelphia's director of development. "It's a grassroots event. We bring people from all backgrounds and religions, ethnicities ... they all come here, and we all celebrate together."
Regional Director Andrew Goretsky was on hand for the event as well. "It is so important that we come together in community, because only in community can we fight the hatred that's going on."
The goal of this year's walk is to raise $250,000. According to the event website, they met $177,404 of that goal.
"It's so important," said Keefer, "because every single dollar raised goes to advance our work to fight antisemitism and all form of hate."
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