Protestor who climbed Elizabeth Tower in London on March 8, 2025 in an apparant protest. Sipa via AP
A barefoot man dressed in black stunned Londoners when he climbed the iconic Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower in a dramatic protest on Saturday, March 8.
The unidentified protester, carrying two Palestinian flags, began his daring ascent at 7:24 a.m. local time, bringing traffic to a halt and forcing authorities to shut down nearby streets. Instead of coming down, he perched himself on a ledge, defiantly waving a flag while emergency crews scrambled to negotiate with him.
For over 16 hours, the man refused to budge. Video footage captured him warning negotiators, “If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher.” Officers, along with firefighters and paramedics, worked tirelessly to bring the standoff to a safe conclusion.
Finally, after midnight on Sunday, March 9, he agreed to step onto a cherry picker and was promptly arrested upon reaching the ground. Police confirmed the arrest in a social media update, explaining the need for a careful, strategic approach to ensure everyone’s safety.
The incident caused major disruptions, with Westminster Bridge and surrounding roads shut down and Parliament tours temporarily suspended. Normal operations resumed once the situation was resolved.
This bold protest has left many wondering: what motivated the climber to risk his life in such a high-stakes stunt? Authorities have yet to release further details.
