At dawn, four protesters from the groups "Students for a Free Tibet" and the "Tibetan Youth Association in Europe" climbed up scaffolding on the UN building, currently under renovation, before jumping down to the middle of the facade using climbing ropes.

They then unfurled a massive banner reading: "China human rights, UN stand up for Tibet," and shouted: "Free Tibet!" UN security acted swiftly to cut down the banner and arrest the protesters, but also to grab journalists' press accreditation and usher them away from the scene.