In the capital of England, London, an individual climbed the “Big Ben” tower, known as the Elizabeth Tower, with a Palestinian flag in hand. The protester hanging on the tower for hours from a height of meters is shouting slogans of “Free Palestine.” Moments of activity are experienced in the center of London due to a protester climbing the Elizabeth Tower, also known as “Big Ben,” of the parliament and unfurling a Palestinian flag in the UK.
Using the name “Free_all.of.us” on the social media platform Instagram, the protester began climbing the tower from the iron railings of the parliament in the morning hours.
Shortly after the protester climbing continued and was noticed by the police, fire and health teams were called to the area. The police also closed the street in front of the tower connected to Westminster Bridge to traffic. The individual unfurling the Palestinian flag and shouting slogans, in videos shared on Instagram, used expressions such as, “Democracy is dead, imprisoned. Peaceful protests, civil disobedience, climate activists are receiving 45 years of imprisonment. Palestinian activists are imprisoned for doing what the government should do, which is to stop selling weapons to the terrorist state of Israel.”
The protester, reminding that the demonstration planned in front of the BBC building was blocked by the police, said, “We are experiencing violence from the police. That’s why I’m doing this protest in the so-called center of democracy.” The protester, asking the fire brigade not to attempt to bring them down, frequently chanted slogans of “Free Palestine.” Some citizens gathered in front of the parliament also supported the protester with slogans.
In the videos shared by the protester, it was stated that they climbed the 165-year-old tower barefoot and without tools, but there were blood traces from cuts on their feet where they stepped. Meanwhile, a group of three individuals seen negotiating with the protester on the fire brigade ladder. The protester replied, “I have nothing to say to the police,” and asked them not to approach.
The London Metropolitan Police stated that they responded to the scene upon receiving a report at 07.24 (local time 10.24) and that the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were assessing the situation. A statement from the UK Parliament said, “We take the security of the parliament extremely seriously, but we will not comment on the measures taken in this particular incident.”
The protester’s protest at Big Ben continues as of 14.00 local time (17.00 GMT).