14-month prison sentence for raising Palestinian flag
Southwark Crown Court in London sentenced British activist Daniel Day to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, after convicting him of causing public nuisance for climbing Elizabeth Tower and raising the Palestinian flag. The protest lasted 17 hours, leading to the closure of Westminster Bridge and disruption of traffic.
Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday sentenced British pro-Palestinian activist Daniel Day (30) to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, after he was convicted of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance. Day climbed Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) to a height of 25 meters and raised the Palestinian flag, remaining there until midnight chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and livestreaming his protest on Instagram. The protest prompted an emergency response, closure of Westminster Bridge and roads around Parliament, and suspension of tours. The prosecution presented footage of the climb, and rescue teams used air mattresses and a cherry picker. Under the sentence, Day will not serve prison time unless he commits a new offense within two years, and he was ordered to undergo rehabilitation programs and electronic monitoring. The case comes amid pro-Palestinian protests in Britain calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.