Pro-Palestine protester ‘Big Ben Dan’ found guilty

‘Big Ben Dan’ Day has been found guilty of ‘public nuisance’ at Southwark Crown Court after climbing the parliamentary tower in March 2025. Day’s 17-hour protest was against Israel’s Gaza genocide and against state-sanctioned police violence against peaceful protest.

Big Ben Dan — “Serious disruption”

The state claims Day caused a £67,000 public bill, some lost bus fares and “serious disruption”. Not as big as Israel’s genocide has caused to millions of innocent Palestinians and surely that’s the point of protest. But that’s the UK state’s priority as Keir Starmer wages war on anti-genocide speech and protest.

Supporters chanted “Free Palestine” outside the court throughout the hearing. Day will be sentenced on 27 July. So far no indication has been given that he will be sentenced as a terrorist, as the state is likely to do to other anti-genocide protesters tomorrow, 12 June 2026. However, nothing should be ruled out as Starmer continues to protect Israel from scrutiny and resistance.

Public bleeding

The court was told that Day had bled on the tower’s stone because he had taken his shoes off for the climb. ‘Bleeding on a public building’ is not listed as a criminal offence, at least yet. Just as well, given the unprovoked police violence Day was highlighting.

Jurors also heard that Day said:

We’re being violently attacked by police for peaceful protest. That’s why I’m taking action at the so-called hub of democracy today.

It’s unclear how this was meant to be incriminating.

Spare a thought

The CPS’s Claire Campbell said afterward that the “fundamental right” to protest isn’t allowed to cause “serious public disruption”. Assuming she votes, perhaps she’ll spare a thought for the Suffragettes and their campaign next time she’s at the ballot box. That included very serious disruption, including widespread window-smashing and even the planting of bombs, as well as the death of a protester under the hoofs of the king’s racehorse.

Featured image via Dan Kitwood/Getty Images