Category: Events

Upcoming and past events organized or sponsored by the Canada Palestine Association.

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

18+ ScotiaBank Branches Adopted so far for March 15 Day of Action to End Genocide Profiteering!

On March 15, activists will hold Scotiabank to account for its $500 million investment in Israeli arms company Elbit Systems. Scotiabank’s asset fund is the largest foreign investor in Elbit, and is thus directly complicit in profiting off Palestinian death and suffering. Already, over 18 branches have been “adopted” to picket/ leaflet / shut it down in neighbourhoods from BC to Ontario (and hopefully beyond). Details on the specific locations and times will be posted in the coming days. #ShutElbitDown #ShameOnScotiabank.

Lower Mainland (BC):
Chinatown
Downtown
Commercial Drive
West End
East Van
Kitsilano
West Side
Richmond
Burnaby
North Van
Guildford, Surrey

Around BC:
Nanaimo
Victoria
Kelowna
Kamloops
Powell River

Across the Country:
Peterborough
St. Catherines
Toronto

There is still time to join the March 15 day of action to say Shame on Scotiabank, Shut Down Genocide Profiteering! Here’s how:

  1. Make an organisational endorsement by emailing cpavancouver@gmail.com
  2. Have a representative of your group sign up to the signal group “Adopt an S-B” for planning, updates & coordination: https://signal.group/#CjQKIBZ0E9XAUJjIXzy-xan34amlPtX8W96TUVVZxYkLZ3fVEhDyjklJTgWTxFIABmDXyjBA
  3. Ask group members, family and friends to close their Scotiabank account on, or leading up to March 15 and tell the branch manager the reason
  4. Choose one or more branches that your organisation will picket/ leaflet/ shut down on Friday March 15 and let us know via the Signal Group

Background Info: MARCH 15: SHUT DOWN GENOCIDE PROFITEERING! Shut Down Scotiabank

Endorsers for March 15: End Genocide Profiteering, Shame on Scotiabank

On Friday, March 15, “adopt” a Scotiabank branch and picket/ leaflet / shut it down! 

Endorsing Groups: 
BDS Vancouver-Coast Salish 
Canada Palestine Association 
Anakbayan BC 
BAYAN Canada 
Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights 
Canadian BDS Coalition
Decolonial Solidarity Vancouver
Free Palestine BC
Freedom from War Coalition, Cowichan
Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle 
Gabriela BC 
Global Peace Alliance BC
ILPS Canada 
Independent Jewish Voices – Vancouver 
Jews Say No to Genocide
Just Peace Advocates
Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine-Israel (NMJPI) 
North Shore for Palestine
Ontario Palestinian Rights Association (OPRA)
Palestine Solidarity Regina
Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU)
Project of Heart
Richmond4Palestine 
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network
Students for Palestine Committee on Vancouver Island
Sulong UBC
Teachers for Palestine 
Toronto World Beyond War
United in Struggle
Vancouver Palestine Action Coalition
Vancouver Region CPC 
Youth for Palestine Vancouver

One hundred and fifty days into Israel’s latest genocidal massacre in Gaza, Canada’s political establishment remains wholly committed to providing diplomatic, military and economic support to Israel, even while the majority of people in this country support a ceasefire.  Across this country, in communities large and small, hundreds of thousands have marched for Palestine, one of the largest political mobilizations in recent memory.

Why is the gap between the sentiments of the mass of people and that of the political establishment so wide?  Because the Canadian ruling class is totally invested in Israel.  They rely on Israel to act as an armed outpost of the Anglo-American imperialist alliance, of which they are a part. They do $2 billion+ in annual trade with Israel via the Canada Israel Free Trade Agreement. And the big Canadian banks, the cornerstone of Canadian imperialism, have billions invested in Israel, and particularly in its military and ‘security’ industries. Scotiabank with its $500 million investment in Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems is Exhibit A of Canadian capital’s genocide profiteering.  

As a Palestine solidarity movement, we need to start to address these concrete financial links, and raise the cost of the Canadian ruling class, and its political functionaries, support for Israeli colonization, occupation, war crimes and genocide.  

Join us on the March 15 day of action to shut down Scotiabank! Shame on Scotiabank! Endorsements can be sent to cpavancouver@gmail.com.
More Info: MARCH 15: SHUT DOWN GENOCIDE PROFITEERING! Shut Down Scotiabank – Canada Palestine Association (cpavancouver.org)