Barclays AGM protest: Genocide must not pay dividends

Scottish PSC joined activists from across the UK today (May 9th, 2024) to protest Barclays AGM at the bank’s European HQ in Glasgow.  Protestors from a range of groups, including climate action, anti-arms trade, and other Palestine solidarity groups, gathered outside of the SEC Armadillo building to highlight Barclays role as a huge investor in Israeli genocide, weapons and fossil fuels.  There were also many protestors inside the AGM meeting, regularly interrupting proceedings with speeches and chants and, as shareholders, raising significant concerns about Barclays investment priorities.

The AGM protest came in the same week as research was published showing that Barclays, rather than reflecting on its investments linked to the Israeli war machine in a time of genocide, has doubled its investments.  The bank is now investing over £2 billion in companies whose weapons or components have been used in military attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, whilst providing a further £6 billion in loans to such companies. 

Barclays of course has a significant track record in terms of investing in gross human rights violations and choosing the side of the oppressor.  In the 1970s and 1980s they gained the label of “Bank of Apartheid”, as they propped up the South African government, providing significant loans whilst most were imposing embargos.  It seems that apartheid is a particularly passion for Barclays, given they are also one of the biggest investments companies operating within occupied Palestine, including illegal settlements. 

The campaign against Barclays support to Israeli genocide and apartheid is gathering steam, with thousands of people across the UK closing their accounts over the past seven months.  Regular protests, often two per week, are taking place outside Barclays branches in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.  Find our campaign materials here, and get involved – we are currently recruiting for additional support to take the campaign forward.  Email info@scottishpsc.org.uk to find out more.