By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Shoppers at Burlington Centre witnessed a silent and unusual demonstration earlier today as a group of individuals walked through the mall in protest against Indigo Books. Moving in a straight line to the steady beat of a single drum, the group wore masks or head coverings, refrained from speaking, and carried signs with statements and QR codes linking onlookers to more information about their cause.
The protest was tied to the growing campaign to boycott Indigo due to its CEO, Heather Reisman, and her partner’s role in founding and running the HESEG Foundation, a Canadian-registered charity that provides scholarships and support for “lone soldiers” — non-Israelis who join the Israeli military. Critics of the foundation argue that it incentivizes individuals to take part in violence against Palestinians, contributing to what organizers describe as complicity in genocide.
Flyers handed out during the demonstration claimed: “Your purchase makes Indigo CEO richer. Indigo CEO is a Director of HESEG Foundation, HESEG recruits mercenaries to the Israeli military, Israeli military commits genocide against innocent children.”
Mall security remained on standby during the protest but did not intervene, and the demonstration unfolded without disruption. Passersby looked on as one protester distributed printed information sheets, each containing a QR code linking to the campaign’s website, boycottindigobooks.com. The website calls for a nationwide boycott and provides a list of local independent bookstores that people are encouraged to support instead of Indigo.
The campaign’s organizers remain anonymous, with no individual or group identified as leading the movement. Their decision to conceal their identities may stem from concerns about retaliation, though the campaign aligns with a wider National Day of Action scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, under the banner, “The World Needs More Boycotts.”
While the boycott campaign is independent and not connected to local advocacy organizations, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada — a consistent voice in Halton against anti-Muslim hate — has been outspoken in its own calls for an end to the violence in Palestine through evidence-based research and partnerships.
On August 8, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the broader conflict, saying, “Preserving the prospects for peace and stability in the region must be our collective priority. Canada urges all parties to negotiate in good faith toward a just, meaningful, and lasting peace that respects the dignity, security, and aspirations of all Palestinians and Israelis.”
The silent protest at Burlington Centre on Sept. 6 reflected a global wave of activism, drawing attention to how local consumer choices, including where residents buy their books, may connect to larger international struggles.
