The Scotiabank branch in downtown Courtenay closed on Friday after protesters landed on its front door.
The branch on the corner of 5th Street and England Avenue in Courtenay shut down around 1:30 p.m. A group of protesters had been outside for roughly an hour with a microphone and speaker set up, chanting in support of Palestine including that the bank had blood on its hands for its investments in a company named Elbit Systems.
“We’re asking Scotiabank to divest,” said a protest organizer named Rosie, who did not give her last name. “Today we’re happy if we raise awareness… If we shift perceptions that we are not here to promote any hatred.
“If one person pulls their money out I would be happy. People don’t necessarily respond in that way, but yeah.”
Scotiabank staff told the Record there would be no comment about the protest. Security appeared to be locking and unlocking the door as customers came and went, but said that protesters did not try to enter the building.
According to Elbit Systems’ website, it’s a technology company that focuses on defence and homeland security. The company produces airborne, land and naval systems such as unmanned airplanes and military helicopters.
Elbit supplies products to Israel’s Defence Ministry, arming the ministry in the ongoing war.
Protesters take issue with the fact that Scotiabank owns shares in Elbit Systems. Media reported this week that Scotiabank is the largest non-Israeli investor in the manufacturing company.
Some passersby were not impressed with the protest in downtown Courtenay.
“This actually brings a little bit of violence to the street,” said a woman in conversation with protesters as she left. “You’ve taken over this land, and it’s loud.”
The woman declined to give her name. She left with documents in her hand, and said she was unable to complete her banking because the branch had been closed.
“The noise was definitely an issue, being on the spectrum,” said another woman named Manitta who got in before the branch closed. “It was crazy having to go through security. And I could still hear them inside the building.”
A bystander looked on from his car down the road. “I think people should more or less focus on what’s going on in their own backyard,” said Reno.
Responding to the protesters’ banner that said ‘Scotiabank funds genocide,’ Reno paused with his words and answered, “I don’t believe they are doing that.”
Protesters felt more passionately about the issue.
“Thank God there are young people (here) who care about the cause of Palestinian human rights and understand the connections between settler colonialism and Indigenous people,” said Judi, who did not share her last name. “And understand the role that Scotiabank plays by funding Elbit Systems.
“It’s about awareness… It’s been a peaceful demonstration of our rights to free speech.
“I think it’s shameful in this day and age that in order for people to be opposed to a ceasefire that they have to actually dehumanize those people. And treat them as less than human beings. These people deserve a right to liberty, to freedom and to food and water.
“The message is to divest from financial support of weapons of Israeli supporting companies… It’s part of non-violent strategies that Palestinians are leading to break through the occupation and the apartheid that they are experiencing.”
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