World

Protest hits highway; Vegan grill goes mobile; Street sweeping relaunches

ADMIN 04/01/2024

676 shut down by weekend protest

Dozens of people were arrested during a protest calling for “Palestinian liberation” that briefly blocked traffic on a Philadelphia interstate over the weekend. The protest follows other marches calling for a cease-fire in Gaza over the past six months.

About 350 members of the “Party for Socialism and Liberation” rushed onto the highway Saturday, disrupting traffic, city police said. Most left and began to march through Center City, but some people chose to remain on the highway. Continue reading…

Dozens of arrests were made after a large demonstration partially shut down Interstate 676 westbound in Center City on Saturday. (Peter Crimmins/WHYY)

Vegan grill shifts focus from brick-and-mortar to food truck

Despite strong reviews and several accolades — its take on a Reuben earned a spot on the Inquirer’s list of best sandwiches in Philly — Algorithm Vegan Grill has scaled back operations with last month’s closure of its Queen Village brick-and-mortar at 705 E Passyunk Avenue.

BP’s Ali Mohsen talked to owner Matt Rafferty about that decision and his renewed focus on getting the Algorithm food truck out there as much as possible during spring and event season. Continue reading…

Algorithm Vegan Grill’s Nashville Hot sandwich uses brined Blackbird Seitan, dredged in seasoned flour and lightly fried, with homemade bread and butter pickles in a sweet potato bun. (Image courtesy of Algorithm Vegan Grill)

RECAP: What else happened?

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• Biden campaign opens Philly office as supporters say they don’t want to take any votes for granted. [WHYY]

• Hundreds of Muslims gather outside City Hall to pray for peace in Gaza and Philly as the Taraweeh commences the last 10 nights of Ramadan. [WHYY]

• Philly’s largest animal shelter offers free adoptions for dogs over 40 pounds as ACCT officials say their kennels are full with more than 200 dogs and cats needing homes. [Fox29]

• Street sweeping relaunches Monday with an expanded footprint. [Axios]

• Donation box smashed, money stolen over Easter weekend at a church in Tacony. [Fox29]

• Philly-trained UFC fighter Nursulton Ruziboev wins in front of packed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. [WHYY]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker has no public appearances scheduled for Monday.

ON THE CALENDAR

🌸 Peep the peak of cherry blossom season at the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival which runs through April 27 with a series of events throughout the city. About 100 trees surrounding the traditional-style Shofuso Japanese House and Garden are in bloom or just about to pop.

🍽️ Weigh in on the future of streeteries. Councilmember Rue Landau hosts a public hearing 10 a.m. on Friday, April 5 at City Hall. Last month, Landau told Billy Penn she wanted the hearings to ascertain “what’s working, and what needs to be changed.”