Jewish org. denounces Rendell

Calling for an attack on Mayor Ed Rendell and assailing Louis Farrakhan as a "Black Hitler," Jewish Defense Organization National Director Mordechai Levy held a press conference yesterday in front of Hillel. The head of the self-described militant Jewish group "declared war" on Rendell for his alleged "embracing of the hate-monger" Farrakhan. Rendell met with Farrakhan last week to discuss race relations after tensions flared in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia. Farrakhan had initially planned on holding a march in the community, but Rendell proposed a more peaceful solution, prompting criticism for associating with Farrakhan. Urging students to actively campaign against the mayor, Levy also pleaded to the more than 30 people in attendance to demand that Farrakhan be banned from campus. Although Hillel is not associated with the JDO and did not sponsor the event, Levy recalled the joint rallies that Farrakhan prompted five years ago, when he spoke at the University. In the interest of keeping "anti-Semite and anti-white" Farrakhan off campus, Levy insisted that he "is a threat to any decent person in this city." Comparing Farrakhan to David Duke -- a former member of the Ku Klux Klan -- Levy grouped both men under the label of "inciters of race riots." The JDO leader also rejected suggestions of speaking peacefully with Farrakhan, saying, "You don't ignore a David Duke -- you don't sit down and reason with a David Duke." Grasping photocopied pictures of Rendell and Farrakhan holding hands below the scribbled title, "Traitor to America," Levy called the photo "lunacy" and attempted to incite the crowd of onlookers to join his "war." "Rendell is calling [Farrakhan] a hero," Levy yelled. "Would a black mayor be seen with David Duke?" He called for a national campaign to "humiliate Mayor Rendell," and urged Jews and non-Jews alike to give the mayor "the silent treatment." He also announced that petitions would be circulated throughout campus rejecting Rendell and his association with Farrakhan. Individuals attending the rally had mixed reactions to Levy's protest, as well as to Farrakhan. "I don't hate [Farrakhan] personally," West Philadelphia resident Emery Williams said. "He has done very good things for the black community." Levy also established a special hotline that will be giving out Rendell's home address, in an effort to organize a demonstration in front of the mayor's house. That demonstration -- which Levy assured "will be lawful, legal and loud" -- will take place May 25 at 2 p.m. "I don't like violence," said Levy, adding that while the JDO has not become a "pacifist organization," the Rendell demonstration would be peaceful. "The mayor, I understand, does not like loud noise? if [the demonstration] wakes up the mayor and his family, I suggest he move out of Philadelphia," Levy said. Wharton sophomore Mason Reiner said he supports Levy's campaign "wholeheartedly." "There is no excuse for Mayor Rendell's actions," Reiner added