Vancouver activists confront Scotiabank and shame its executives for genocide profiteering—as part of a National Day of Action against the bank
Coast to Coast, Protesters Showed Up in Droves to Scotiabank Branches Demanding the Bank Fully Divest from Elbit Systems, Israel’s Largest Weapons Manufacturer
Vancouver, unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations — On Saturday, June 14, 2025 concerned residents and human rights advocates gathered forf a Day of Action at over 9 Scotiabank branch locations in BC’s lower mainland as part of the national Scotiabank Funds Genocide campaign.
Over 150 participated in pickets across Metro Vancouver, joining 1000 people across the country raising awareness of Scotiabank’s investment in Elbit Systems and their complicity in genocide.
“This isn’t business as usual—it’s profit from war crimes,” said Tamer Abu Ramadan, spokesperson for the campaign. “We refuse to let Scotiabank quietly reinvest in Elbit Systems without consequence. Their role in arming Israel, currently accused of committing genocide, must be exposed and opposed at every level.”
Elbit Systems is Israel’s largest private arms manufacturer, providing drones, surveillance equipment, and internationally banned chemical weapons, all being used in the genocide in Gaza. Scotiabank is among Elbit System’s top five shareholders, holding shares valuing $268 million USD.
Last year, Scotiabank partially divested from Elbit, driven by sustained public pressure, which among other outcomes, resulted in the prestigious Giller Prize removing Scotiabank as its lead sponsor. However in the final quarter of this year, Scotiabank increased its holdings in Elbit Systems by 25%.
“There is no acceptable dollar amount to invest in genocide. Our banks should not be making money from the killing of tens of thousands of children, the bombing of schools, hospitals, and the starvation of an entire population,” said Rebecca Haber of Independent Jewish Voices Vancouver.
Israeli bombings and ground assaults in Gaza have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women, children and elderly people, and injured more than 125,000, according to health authorities in the territory, whose figures have proved accurate in past conflicts. In the past week, Israel bombed several sites in Tehran and seized a civilian boat in international waters attempting to bring baby formula, food, and other aid to starving people in Gaza.
Coordinated demonstrations for the Scotiabank Funds Genocide day of action took place at over 39 Scotiabank branches across Canada. Organizers are demanding Scotiabank divest from Elbit Systems, and calling on people with Scotiabank accounts to remove their money from banks investing in genocide and war profiteering.
For more information, media inquiries, or interviews about the National campaign, please contact: [email protected].
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Picket locations & times
When: 9 AM
Where: 2804 Granville St.
Who: Residents of Vancouver-Granville riding and part of the group Vancouver-Granville for Palestine
Informational flyer: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKsbto9hutk/
When: 10 AM
Where: 1669 Davie St, Vancouver
Who: Activists and community members of conscience
When: 11 AM
Where: 1965 E Broadway, Vancouver
Who: Socialist Alternative Vancouver
When: 11:30 AM
Where: 4088 Cambie St. #100, Vancouver
Who: Independent Jewish Voices Vancouver
When: 12 PM
Where: Port Moody
Who: Free Palestine BC
Informational flyer: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKhnN3NxlMx
When: 1 PM
Where: 2208 Kingsway, Vancouver
Who: BDS Vancouver – Coast Salish Territories
Informational flyer: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKhnN3NxlMx
When: 1 – 3 PM
Where: 119181 Fraser Hwy, Surrey
Who: SurDelRock4Palestine & ClovLang4Palestine
Informational flyer: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKa_sQ_pg5x/
When: 2 PM
Where: 2798 W Broadway, Vancouver
Who: Al Awda Vancouver
When: 2PM
Where: 999 West Broadway, Vancouver
Who: Activists and community members of conscience