Man Scales Elizabeth Tower with Palestine Flag
A man waving a Palestine flag has successfully scaled the iconic Elizabeth Tower, located at the Palace of Westminster in central London. This dramatic incident prompted emergency services to rush to the scene, where videos circulating on social media depict a barefoot individual precariously positioned on a ledge several meters above ground.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, “At 7:24 AM on Saturday, March 8, officers were notified of a man climbing the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament. Our officers are currently on-site, working diligently to resolve the situation safely. They are receiving assistance from both the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service.”
In response to the ongoing situation, Bridge Street, situated at the northern end of Westminster Bridge, has been closed to facilitate the operations of emergency personnel, as confirmed by law enforcement officials.
A representative from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) elaborated, “Firefighters are collaborating with the Metropolitan Police Service in response to reports of an individual scaling the Palace of Westminster.” Fire crews from various stations, including Lambeth, Chelsea, Soho, and Islington, have been dispatched to the scene to ensure a comprehensive response.
This incident unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions, as police recently intervened to block an anticipated pro-Palestine march from convening near a synagogue in central London. Protesters had planned to rally outside Broadcasting House on Portland Place, close to prominent shopping areas like Regent Street and Oxford Street.
However, authorities stated that conditions under the Public Order Act would be enforced to prevent the gathering from occurring in proximity to the synagogue, to avert any potential disruption during the Jewish holy day of Shabbat, when congregants attend services. The Metropolitan Police emphasized, “We recognize the vital importance of the public’s right to protest and have no intention of curtailing those rights, unless it is necessary to prevent significant disruption.”
Furthermore, they added, “We have identified an alternative area reasonably close to Portland Place where the assembly can proceed.” The protest, organized by groups including Palestine Pulse, IJAN, XR for Palestine, and others, is set to commence at 1 PM.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
