#ShameonScotiabank Picket, Nov 29

  • Join us on November 29, 3 pm at Broadway & Commercial, Vancouver to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians by telling Scotiabank that we will not rest until they divest completely from Israeli war crimes. Any funding of genocide is too much.

Scotiabank’s asset fund has reduced its half a billion dollar investment in Elbit 4 times, but still owns 1.3% of Elbit shares (worth US$112 million as of Sept. 30/24 and now worth over US$130 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, especially with regards to the Giller Prize.

Outraged by Excessive VPD Raid against pro-Palestine Advocate

To Mayor Ken Sim and VPD Chief Adam Palmer:

We are appalled and outraged by the excessive police action yesterday in Vancouver against local activist Charlotte Kates. We demand answers from the VPD and Ken Sim regarding this ridiculous ramping up of intimidation of pro-Palestine advocates. Why did you need the Emergency Response Team, decked out in full tactical gear with an armoured vehicle, to execute one search warrant in a quiet residential house currently inhabited by one woman? Are you trying to convince others that those who support Palestine are dangerous and thus require this over-the-top repression? According to news sources, even her neighbours were horrified (and frightened) at the level of force employed. 

All you have proven is that Vancouver police are quickly descending into the most despicable kind of tactics, and showing their own ineptitude and lack of respect for the most basic rights of people.    

The local Palestinian community will remember this latest action (and others before) that have exposed the anti-Palestinian racism inherent in your administration. 

Hanna Kawas, Chair
Canada Palestine Association – Vancouver 
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Coverage on AlMayadeen English: Pro-Palestine org enraged by Canadian police raid against activist | Al Mayadeen English

INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS CONDEMN POLICE RAID ON HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST CHARLOTTE KATES’ HOME

VPD hears complaints by pro-Palestine advocates, then appoints former Deputy Chief to investigate

Arabic proverb: لمين تشكي والقاضي غريمك
Who do you complain to when the judge is your opponent?

Human Rights Groups Alarmed that Former Deputy Chief of VPD Selected to Investigate Allegations of Illegal Mass Surveillance and by Deferral of Excessive Use of Force Complaint – BC Civil Liberties Association %
(Photos: Michael YC Tseng)

Background info on legal complaint: Police Board to consider legal complaints filed against VPD for excessive use of force and surveillance of Palestine movement
Says Dania Barakat, a local Palestinian organizer:
“Across the country and around the world, we are seeing a rise in police and state repression against pro-Palestinian activists. This increasing anti-Palestinian racism is happening as we are witnessing a genocide unfolding in Gaza every day and as Canada refuses to implement a two-way arms embargo against Israel. But the VPD repression and surveillance of our actions will not stop us. The global movement for our liberation is only growing.”