No criminal charges for Montreal protesters arrested at bank sit-in

Barbara Bedont, a lawyer with Defend the Movement Montreal, representing individuals charged for conducting a pro-Palestinian sit-in, speaks to media ahead of a court appearance alongside other pro-Palestinian activists, in Montreal, on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

MONTREAL — The Crown has withdrawn all criminal charges against pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during a sit-in at a downtown Montreal bank more than two years ago.

Fourteen out of the 44 people arrested at the protest pleaded guilty to violating a municipal noise bylaw and agreed to pay the $300 fines.

Defence lawyer Barbara Bedont says most of the protesters had previously resolved their cases through community service.

The 44 protesters were arrested in April 2024 at a Scotiabank branch, where they demanded that the bank divest from Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.

The case comes to an end months after Scotiabank sold its remaining shares in Elbit Systems, a move the protesters welcomed as a victory.

The protesters say they have filed a complaint against the judge who oversaw their case, alleging bias and unfair treatment during the proceedings.

The protesters had challenged the charges under the Charter, arguing that police violated their rights.

Bedont says the protesters had a strong case and warns that criminalizing peaceful sit-ins threatens the right to protest.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2026.