Protester Scales Big Ben with Palestinian Flag in Dramatic Standoff
A guy who scaled London’s iconic Big Ben and spent an entire day perched on the ancient clock tower while holding a Palestinian flag was arrested quickly after he climbed down after middle of the night on Sunday, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The dramatic incident began early Saturday morning, with emergency crews being alerted to the climber’s presence at approximately 7:00 A.M. GMT. Throughout the day, the barefoot protester remained precariously placed on a ledge of the Elizabeth Tower, the structure commonly related to its famous clock bell, Big Ben. As officers attempted to negotiate with him, he insisted that he would descend “on his own phrases.”
A High-Stakes Standoff
Authorities fast spoke back to the unusual scenario, deploying fireplace vans, cherry pickers, and police negotiators to the scene. Negotiators used a megaphone in an try and talk with the man, voicing worries about his properly-being. Video photos shared on social media showed the protester carrying a hoodie and a baseball cap whilst reportedly stricken by an damage to his foot. Observers mentioned a large quantity of blood on his foot, and officials additionally expressed concern over his inadequate garb, given the losing temperatures after dusk.
Throughout the day, crowds accumulated behind a police cordon, showing their help by using chanting slogans inclusive of “Free Palestine” and “You are a hero.” The protest caused the closure of numerous key regions, which include Westminster Bridge, and brought about the cancellation of scheduled excursions of the Houses of Parliament.
Security Concerns Raised
Following the protester’s eventual descent and arrest, the incident sparked immediately grievance concerning security measures round certainly one of London’s maximum closely guarded area. Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty questioned how the protester became able to pass security, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Every day in Parliament I see dozens of armed law enforcement officials patrolling Portcullis House and the parliamentary property. Where have been they these days?” He similarly demanded that a complete clarification be furnished to MPs and workforce regarding the apparent safety breach.
While police haven’t begun to reveal particular information about the person’s identification or ability costs, they defined the incident as “protracted” and confirmed that all roads surrounding the vicinity had given that reopened.
Broader Pro-Palestinian Protests
The Big Ben protest occurred amidst a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. On Friday night, activists from the Palestine Action organization completed a separate demonstration at former US President Donald Trump’s golfing lodge in Scotland. Protesters spray-painted “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in big white letters across the assets’s garden in a circulate they defined as a right away reaction to the USA management’s stance on the ongoing war in Gaza.
The institution issued a announcement claiming responsibility for the act, accusing the US of assisting what they termed the “ethnic cleansing” of Gaza. Police Scotland showed they had launched an research after receiving reviews of belongings harm at the inn.
Continued Calls for Action
The Big Ben stunt and the Trump golf lodge incident are a part of a growing wave of excessive-profile actions taken by way of pro-Palestinian activists inside the UK. Demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience have intensified in latest months as activists are looking for to draw attention to the scenario in Gaza and pressure governments to take a greater aggressive stance against Israeli policies.
As the political and humanitarian crisis maintains to spread in the Middle East, those protests are probable to persist, elevating further questions on protection, public order, and freedom of expression. Meanwhile, UK government face mounting pressure to ensure that such demonstrations do now not compromise the protection and protection of country wide landmarks and public spaces.
While the Big Ben protester’s motivations were clear, the long-term effect of such demonstrations remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the worldwide communication around the Israeli-Palestinian struggle continues to rouse robust responses, each on the streets and within political circles.
