Protester Scales Big Ben for 16 Hours, Traffic in London Comes to a Standstill
In a scene that could only be described as a modern-day Shakespearean play, a man decided to turn London’s iconic Big Ben—officially known as the Elizabeth Tower—into his personal soapbox. On March 8, at precisely 7:24 a.m. local time, this daring climber made a splashy entrance by scaling the tower, triggering a 16-hour standoff with police that brought the surrounding area to a complete standstill. The man, who has yet to be identified, appeared to be staging a protest, as he was spotted barefoot, dressed in all-black attire, and brandishing two Palestinian flags—one draped around the tower and another waving triumphantly from his precarious perch.
As the hours ticked by, negotiators attempted to coax him down using cranes, while traffic on Bridge Street and Westminster Bridge ground to a halt, leaving frustrated commuters wondering if they were part of a bizarre public art installation. According to reports from both the BBC and Associated Press, the protester, ever the drama king, declared he would descend only on his “own terms,” threatening to climb higher if officials approached him too closely. It seems this climber wasn’t just raising flags; he was also raising the stakes.
Emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service, were called to the scene, and tours of the Houses of Parliament were temporarily suspended as authorities scrambled to manage the situation. By midnight local time on March 9, the man finally agreed to come down and was promptly arrested upon his descent. Westminster Police later clarified that the lengthy operation was due to the precarious position of the climber and the necessity to prioritize safety for all involved.
In a world where protests often involve marches or sit-ins, this individual took it to a whole new level—literally. As reported by various news outlets, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals will go to make their voices heard, especially on issues as charged as international politics.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, BBC, Associated Press
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