Daniel Day, a 30-year-old man from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has been convicted of causing public nuisance following a barefoot climb of Big Ben that lasted 17 hours. The protest, which took place last March, was in support of Palestine and led to significant disruption in Westminster.
The protest caused emergency responses and road closures, with an estimated cost to taxpayers of £67,000. Bridge Street and parts of Parliament Square were closed, forcing Transport for London to reroute buses. This resulted in a loss of around £25,000 in bus fares. Additionally, over 2,500 visitor appointments to Parliament were cancelled during the event.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that mattresses had been placed beneath the tower to protect Day due to the dangerous nature of his climb. CCTV footage showed him scaling the building while holding a Palestine flag and livestreaming the protest on Instagram. He shouted “Free, Free Palestine” to the crowds gathered below.
Throughout the protest, Day warned police to keep their distance or he would climb higher. He insisted that his actions were peaceful and that he intended to harm no one. Day also claimed that police were violently attacking peaceful protestors, which he used to justify his protest at what he described as the “hub of democracy.” His bare feet bled during the climb, highlighting the protest’s dramatic circumstances.
After a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, the jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before finding Day guilty of public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site. Supporters in the public gallery showed emotion following the verdict, while others gathered outside chanting “Free Palestine.”
Daniel Day pleaded guilty to trespassing charges and is awaiting sentencing for both offences. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27 at Southwark Crown Court.
Originally published by UKNIP.
