The Crown withdrew all remaining criminal charges against pro-Palestinian activists arrested during a 2024 sit-in at a downtown Montreal Scotiabank, concluding a protracted legal battle over a demonstration demanding divestment from Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.
Here is why that matters: while the core criminal mischief charges were dropped on Monday, October 26, 2026, the resolution required 14 of the original 44 defendants to plead guilty to violating a municipal noise bylaw and pay $300 fines, according to reporting by Yahoo News Canada. Defence lawyer Barbara Bedont noted that most of the other protesters had previously resolved their individual cases through community service.
Scotiabank Sells Elbit Systems Shares After Protests
The conclusion of the court proceedings arrives months after Scotiabank’s investment management subsidiary sold its remaining shares in Elbit Systems. Protesters welcomed the divestment as a direct victory for their grassroots campaign.
Activists gathered outside the Montreal municipal court to mark the end of the legal process. Protester Eli Tareq questioned how the prosecution might affect other citizens, asking reporters what might happen to those participating in actions deemed even less conventional if peaceful demonstrations face such heavy legal hurdles.
During the original hearings held earlier, a manager from the targeted Scotiabank branch testified that the demonstrators had not damaged property or threatened anyone. He confirmed that he simply locked the doors and called the police without first asking the crowd to leave the premises.
Constitutional Challenges and Allegations of Force
The defendants initially challenged their arrests under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, arguing that police intervention violated their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Defense counsel Barbara Bedont warned that criminalizing peaceful sit-ins poses a direct threat to the right to protest.
But there is a catch: rather than continuing a lengthy constitutional battle, the remaining defendants agreed to the municipal bylaws to finally bring an end to the proceedings. Protester Mara Farrokh stated that the group ultimately concluded that achieving true accountability from the standard court system proved out of reach.
During court proceedings, the defense presented security camera footage of the April 2024 sit-in. Farrokh alleged the video showed officers in riot gear stepping on a protester while demonstrators remained surrounded. According to the protesters’ accounts, the presiding judge watched the footage but declined to acknowledge the alleged excessive force.
Protesters File Complaint Against Judge for Bias
Dissatisfied with the conduct of the court, the protesters filed a formal complaint with Quebec’s judicial council against the judge who oversaw their case. Farrokh stated the complaint aims to have a committee review the judge’s behavior, which the defendants characterized as showing unacceptable bias.
In response to the developments, Montreal police issued a statement acknowledging the municipal court’s decision. The police force reiterated that anyone believing they experienced mistreatment during an intervention retains the right to file a formal complaint directly with the force or through an independent oversight body.
| Case Detail | Recorded Fact |
|---|---|
| Initial Arrest Date | April 2024 |
| Total Individuals Arrested | 44 protesters |
| Charges Dropped Date | Monday, October 26, 2026 |
| Resolution Terms | 14 guilty pleas to noise bylaws, $300 fines; others completed community service |
As the legal chapter closes, the broader debate surrounding corporate divestment, police conduct, and the legal boundaries of political demonstration in urban financial spaces remains entirely open.
