TORONTO, Ontario — Anti-Israel activists staged a coordinated “National Day of Action” across Canada targeting Indigo Books locations, a campaign that Jewish community leaders and civil liberties advocates say crossed a dangerous line from political protest into the intimidation of Jewish-owned businesses and the normalization of antisemitism in public spaces.
Demonstrations were reported in multiple major cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Halifax, as protesters accused Indigo of ideological wrongdoing tied to its leadership’s support for Israel. While organizers framed the actions as political expression, critics argue the protests reflected a broader pattern of singling out Jews and Jewish institutions for collective punishment.
A Coordinated Campaign, Not Isolated Protests
Organizers promoted the protests as a synchronized national effort, urging supporters to converge on Indigo storefronts simultaneously. Placards, chants, and social media messaging accused the company of complicity in Israeli policies, despite Indigo operating as a Canadian retail business serving millions of customers of diverse backgrounds.
Jewish advocacy organizations stressed that the issue was not disagreement over Middle East politics, but the deliberate targeting of a Jewish-owned business as a proxy for Israel.
“This is not about policy debate,” one community leader said. “It is about making Jewish visibility in Canada costly and unsafe.”
Concerns Over Antisemitic Impact
Community groups warned that the protests fit an established pattern seen since October 7, in which Jewish businesses, synagogues, schools, and cultural institutions are increasingly targeted regardless of their direct connection to Israeli government actions.
Police services in several cities confirmed an increased presence near Indigo locations as a precautionary measure, citing heightened tensions and previous incidents in which protests escalated into harassment or vandalism.
According to police-reported data and community monitoring, antisemitism in Canada has risen by more than 100 percent over the past two years. Jewish leaders say these demonstrations cannot be viewed in isolation from that broader trend.
“When mobs gather outside Jewish spaces, it sends a message far beyond a single store,” a spokesperson for a national Jewish organization said. “It tells Jews that their identity makes them fair game.”
Free Expression Versus Intimidation
Civil liberties experts note that while peaceful protest is protected under Canadian law, the line is crossed when demonstrations target individuals or communities based on identity rather than conduct.
Indigo did not issue a public statement during the protests, but employees at several locations reported feeling unsettled by the demonstrations. Some customers told reporters they avoided stores out of concern for their safety.
Legal analysts emphasized that boycotts aimed at pressuring governments differ fundamentally from actions that pressure private citizens or businesses solely because they are Jewish or perceived as sympathetic to Israel.
“This is where activism slides into discrimination,” one legal expert said. “The effect, regardless of intent, is exclusion.”
A Broader Pattern Across Canada
The Indigo protests followed months of similar activity aimed at Jewish community centers, cultural events, and neighbourhoods with significant Jewish populations. Weekly demonstrations in some cities have drawn criticism for rhetoric that includes calls to “globalize the intifada,” language Jewish leaders say glorifies violence.
While protest organizers deny antisemitic intent, Jewish organizations argue that intent is less relevant than impact.
“When Jews are told to disavow Israel or face harassment, that is antisemitism,” one advocate said. “There is no acceptable political exception.”
Calls for Leadership and Accountability
Community leaders are urging elected officials to speak clearly against the targeting of Jewish businesses and to enforce existing laws related to harassment, intimidation, and hate crimes.
They warn that silence or equivocation from political leaders risks normalizing behavior that would be widely condemned if directed at any other minority community.
“Canada cannot claim to oppose antisemitism while allowing it to be rebranded as activism,” one statement read.
The nationwide protests against Indigo underscore a growing challenge for Canadian society: distinguishing legitimate political expression from campaigns that single out Jews for collective blame. As antisemitism continues to rise, Jewish leaders stress that protecting Jewish safety and dignity is not a parochial concern, but a test of Canada’s commitment to pluralism and equal rights.
Protesters outside Indigo bookstore decry CEO Heather Reisman for her involvement in the HESEG Foundation, which provides scholarships to former lone soldiers who served with the IDF.
— Caryma Sa'd – Lawyer + Political Satirist (@CarymaRules) December 21, 2025
HESEG Foundation is a registered Canadian charity, allowing donors to claim tax credits.
📸… pic.twitter.com/B7Q1Y7WrtI
Please don’t use AI generated pictures. It’s unprofessional.