Category: BDS Hub

Stay connected and informed to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.

#ShutDownScotiabank

Join the campaign to force Scotiabank to complete
their divestment from Elbit and all other companies that support Israeli war crimes, occupation and the colonization of Palestine.

On October 2, activists across the Lower Mainland in BC disrupted business as usual for genocide-enabler Scotiabank and its global asset fund. Leading up to the week of action entitled RESISTING GENOCIDE: BOYCOTT FOR PALESTINIAN LIBERATION, protestors confirmed their resolve to not rest until Scotiabank and all complicit entities are forced to divest from genocide.

Highlights video: https://www.instagram.com/p/DArl5azygFN
More info on Scotiabank investments: Scotiabank is invested in over $15 Billion Canadian ($11 billion USD) in war crimes & potentially genocide – Just Peace Advocates

ScotiaBank name is an embarrassment – Canada Palestine Association
Scotiabank must divest completely from Elbit Systems! – Canada Palestine Association (cpavancouver.org)

ScotiaBank name is an embarrassment

The Giller Prize has dropped Scotiabank from their name, even though they are still their leading sponsor. We are not fooled by these phoney “rebranding” moves. No business as usual @gillerprize while their sponsor ScotiaBank still funds genocide! #ShameonScotiabank

This move by Giller Prize does show that the grassroots campaign against Scotiabank’s funding of Israeli genocide is bearing results. But as we said earlier: “Any funding of genocide is too much. We will not rest until Scotiabank divests completely from Israeli war crimes.”

Scotiabank must divest completely from Elbit Systems!

  • Any funding of genocide is too much. We will not rest until Scotiabank divests completely from Israeli war crimes.

On June 3, 2023 Vancouver activists held a march and flash action at Scotiabank headquarters, to help launch a national campaign to demand that Scotiabank divest from the Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems.  

Since then, Scotiabank’s asset fund has reduced its half a billion dollar investment in Elbit 3 times, but still owns 1.44% of Elbit shares (worth approx. $113 million). Many groups and individuals have been part of the campaign to say #ShameonScotiabank for funding Israeli genocide; it is this collective pressure that produced results. A special shoutout to allies in the artists and writers community who embraced this issue, and helped increase the visibility of the campaign in new and creative ways. 

However, although Scotiabank is no longer the largest foreign investor in Elbit, it is still one of the “top ten”. Any funding of genocide is too much. We will not rest until Scotiabank divests completely from Israeli war crimes. 

New article on AlMayadeen English: Divesting from Genocide! | Al Mayadeen English

From France: En Amérique du Nord, des campagnes contre les complices du génocide à Gaza engrangent des victoires | Palestine Vaincra

Mar 15: No Business as Usual for Scotiabank

On March 15, activists in Canada came out in a coordinated campaign to demand that Scotiabank and its global asset fund divest completely from Elbit Systems. At 28+ different branch locations, from Toronto and Peterborough to Courtney and Nanaimo, from St. Catharines and Regina to multiple locations around the lower mainland of BC, there were protests and pickets to say Shut Down Genocide Profiteering.

On the ground reports indicated that at least 6 branches were closed either completely or partially, and others noted that customers had committed to closing their accounts. Multiple locations, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, reported a heavy police presence, as the repression of pro-Palestine actions continues to intensfiy. The day wrapped up with a rally outside Scotiabank’s Vancouver head office that highlighted the reports from different locations and then marched through the downtown core.

Let’s keep up the pressure, our grassroots campaign is working. ScotiaBank reduced its Elbit Systems investment in the last quarter, but still stands as the largest foreign investor in this Israeli arms company, profiting off the killing and maiming of Palestinians.

This was truly a Day of Action activists can be proud of, and we’re just getting started! Here are a few initial photo and video highlights from across the country.

Peterborough-Nogojiwanong, ON
Toronto
St. Catharines
London, ON
Toronto
Regina, SK
Kelowna, BC
Nanaimo
Powell River BC

And over a dozen locations around the BC Lower Mainland:

Check out another great video here: Nogojiwanong Palestine Solidarity (@nogojiwanong2palestine) • Instagram photos and videos
And here: Scotiabank, divest from weapons and Elbit now! (March 15, 2023) (youtube.com)

Background info:
Canada’s Scotiabank is funding Israeli war crimes – Mondoweiss
Activists vow to #ShutElbitDown | Al Mayadeen English
Send a letter: Tell Scotiabank to Divest Now from Elbit Systems – Action Network

Join us on March 15 to Shut Down Genocide Profiteering at Scotiabank Branches

All out on March 15 for complete divestment! No Genocide Profiteering! Shame on Scotiabank!
We are proud to be part of the global campaign to #ShutElbitDown and hold Israel’s arms industry and its investors accountable for their complicity in war crimes. MARCH 15: SHUT DOWN GENOCIDE PROFITEERING! Shut Down Scotiabank

Let’s keep up the pressure, our grassroots campaign is working. ScotiaBank reduced its Elbit Systems investment in the last quarter, but still stands as the largest foreign investor in this Israeli arms company, profiting off the killing and maiming of Palestinians.

Here is an initial list of Scotiabank branches with actions that you can join on March 15:

Vancouver and BC:

Chinatown – 268 Keefer – 11am
Downtown – Granville & Georgia – 12 Noon
Granville – 12th and Granville – 11:30
Kits – MacDonald & W. Broadway – 2pm
West End – 1669 Davie St – 12 Noon
Commercial Drive – Broadway & Commercial – 11am
Oak & Broadway – 7:30-8:30 am

Burnaby (SFU) – 8972 University High St –  11:00 am
Surrey – Guildford Mall – 3pm
Coquitlam – Coquitlam Centre – 3pm
Port Moody – 2501 St. John’s St – 4pm
North Vancouver – 1357 Lonsdale Ave – 11am

Kamloops – 276 Victoria St – 2pm
Kelowna – 488 Bernard Ave – 12 Noon
Powell River – 7030 Alberni St – 11:30am
Nanaimo – 65 Commercial St – 11am
Victoria – 702 Yates Street, 11am
Courtenay Courthouse – 11:30 am

Prairies: 

Regina – 1901 Hamilton St – 12pm

Ontario:

Toronto – 70 Carlton St. – 12 Noon
Toronto – 19 Bloor St W – 9am
Toronto – 992 Bloor St W – 9am
Toronto – 222 Queen St W – 9am
Peterbourough – 111 Hunter St. W – 11am
St. Catharines – 185 St Paul St, #177 – 10:45 am

Maritimes:

Scotiabank – 780 Main St, Moncton – 12 noon