LONDON (AP) — Traffic around the Palace of Westminster stood still on Saturday as emergency crews worked to address the unusual sight of a man scaling the iconic Big Ben tower, clutching a Palestinian flag. The incident began early Saturday morning, around 7:20 AM on March 8, 2025, prompting widespread concern and immediate action from emergency services.
The man, identified as Day, managed to climb Elizabeth Tower, the bell tower commonly referred to as Big Ben, and stationed himself on a ledge several meters above the ground. His protest was particularly notable not only because of the location but also due to the time he spent up there — almost 16 hours. Negotiators utilized fire brigade equipment, including aerial ladders, to communicate with him throughout the day, attempting to convince him to descend safely.
To the concern of many observers, Day was barefoot and reportedly injured; there was “quite a lot of blood” on his foot, and the negotiators emphasized the need for him to come down as temperatures dropped significantly after sunset. Despite their efforts, Day refused to budge until he felt ready to come down “on his own terms.”
Footage posted on social media on Saturday evening captures the tense negotiations. “I will come down on my own terms, I have said this. But right now I am saying I am safe. If you come toward me you are putting me in danger and I will climb higher,” he declared defiantly to those trying to assist him, demonstrating both his resolve and the precariousness of his situation.
Supporters gathered on Victoria Embankment, the road adjacent to the tower, shouting phrases like “Free Palestine” and “You are a hero,” providing Day with encouragement during the protracted standoff. This spectacle drew significant viewer interest and emotional reactions from many witnesses below.
Finally, by just after midnight on Sunday, March 9, Day stepped off the ledge and onto a cherry picker brought by emergency services. He was then transported to the awaiting ambulance, where his injuries would be assessed. The incident led to significant disruptions, including canceled parliamentary tours, as security concerns were raised about how he managed to climb such a highly secured structure without immediate intervention.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty expressed alarm over the security breach, urging the need for accountability and thorough explanations for how Day could access the parliamentary estate so easily. He stated, “On Monday there needs to be a full explanation to MPs and staff as to how this protester was able to evade security so easily,” highlighting the acute need for review measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The entirety of the event raised not only questions of security surrounding Westminster but also sparked discussions about the freedom of protest, the messages advocates wish to convey, and the responsibilities of authorities to uphold order and safety.
While the man’s intentions behind the protest remain open to interpretation, it stood as a loud reminder of the sometimes volatile interactions between public demonstrations and legislative structures.
All eyes will now be on Westminster Magistrates’ Court as Day has been remanded in custody, expected to appear during the court proceedings on March 10, 2025. The outcome of this case may also influence the broader discourse on protest actions and their permissible limits within politically charged contexts.