Anti-Semitism Ad Campaign Pulled from NYC Taxis After Criticism

A campaign by the non-profit group JewBelong, aimed at raising awareness about rising anti-Semitism, was abruptly removed from New York City taxis after sparking controversy and complaints. The ads, which featured the message “Not gonna hide my Jewish star for a free bus ride,” were perceived by some as a critique of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to make bus rides in the city free of charge.

Campaign Details and Removal

The digital ads were displayed on approximately 4,000 taxis in Manhattan and were scheduled to run through March 10th. According to JewBelong, the ad agency, Somo, informed them of the decision to pull the campaign after conversations with a trade group representing a portion of the city’s taxi fleet owners.

Jamie Lowe, executive vice president of Somo, explained in a meeting with JewBelong representatives that the ad was “somewhat anti- the mayor of New York City” and that complaints had been received from various parties, including the New York City Taxi Commission and the Metropolitan Taxi Board of Trade. Lowe stated he didn’t want to offend Mamdani or other city officials.

JewBelong co-founder Archie Gottesman expressed concern over the removal, stating, “Why are Jewish voices being silenced in New York City at the very moment antisemitism is surging?” She added that the campaign aimed to start a conversation about the compromises Jews feel pressured to make regarding their visibility and identity amid increasing anti-Semitism.

Reactions to the Ad’s Removal

The removal of the ads drew criticism from several quarters. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, stated that if acknowledging the need for Jewish New Yorkers to sometimes conceal symbols of their identity is considered controversial, it should be alarming. He emphasized that the problem lies in the climate that makes the message resonate, not the billboard itself.

This marks the first time in five years that JewBelong has had an ad campaign censored, according to the organization.

Future Plans

While the taxi campaign has been discontinued, JewBelong plans to launch static billboards in the Bronx and Queens on March 2nd. These billboards will display the messages: “Standing against antisemitism is standing with America,” and “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”