London: A man holding a Palestinian flag and wearing a keffiyeh climbed Big Ben tower on Saturday (March 8), remaining on the ledge for over 16 hours while live-streaming his protest on Instagram. He finally descended and was arrested by Westminster Police. Authorities stated that ensuring the safety of officers, the individual, and the public was their top priority. “The man has now been arrested. This has been a protracted incident due to the specifics of where the man was located and the need to ensure safety,” read an official statement.
During his protest, the man denounced “police repression and state violence,” claiming that democracy was dead and peaceful demonstrators were being imprisoned. He criticized the government for jailing Palestine activists while allowing arms sales to Israel. “We’re being imprisoned for peaceful protest. Palestine activists are facing jail time for doing what our government should be doing—stopping arms to the terrorist state of Israel,” he said in a video.
Eyewitnesses saw him bleeding but determined as he remained on the ledge, refusing to come down immediately. “I’m not going anywhere. Free, free Palestine,” he declared. The Metropolitan Police were alerted at 7:20 AM local time, leading to the closure of Westminster Bridge and the suspension of Parliament tours. Negotiations continued throughout the day and into the night before he finally climbed down.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty questioned how the protester bypassed security, expressing concern over potential lapses. “Every day in Parliament, I see dozens of armed officers patrolling. Where were they today?” he wrote on X, demanding a thorough investigation. The London Fire Brigade and specialist officers assisted in managing the situation, aiming to resolve it peacefully while minimizing risks. The incident has sparked discussions about security at one of the UK’s most guarded landmarks and the ongoing tensions surrounding protests related to Palestine.
