Man tried to set himself on fire outside White House during Palestine protest
First responders managed to avert tragedy this weekend when they rushed to stop a man from setting himself on fire outside of the White House.
According to Breitbart, viral video footage circulated in which the man could be heard calling himself a journalist and saying, "We spread the misinformation."
Individual treated for non-life threatening injuries
Footage showed the man being surrounded by law enforcement officers at a pro-Palestine rally early on Saturday evening as someone poured water on his burned arm.
A Man Attempted To Self-Immolate In Front Of The White House At A Pro-Palestine Protest
Police took the man away and have set up a perimeter.
The smell of fuel is powerful in the air.
It appears like the man only burned his arm because someone managed to pour water on him.… pic.twitter.com/z1F92u9NAT
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) October 5, 2024
Breitbart noted that Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith released a statement explaining that "an adult male participating in a demonstration" had "attempted to light himself on fire."
"Members of the Metropolitan Police Department and members of the public immediately put out the fire," Smith was quoted as saying..
"DC Fire and EMS responded and transported the man to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries," the police chief went on to add.
"I have a voice too"
Arizona's 12 News reported that the man has been identified as Samuel Mena Jr., who previously worked as a news photographer in Phoenix.
The station noted how in a long essay posted to his personal website the same day that he attempted to set himself on fire, Mena addressed a number of social issues and complained that the Democratic Party had facilitated military action by Israel.
"Joe Biden has a voice. Kamala Harris a voice. Donald Trump has a voice. Shireen Abu Akleh had a voice. Aaron Bushnell had a voice. Palestine still has a voice," he wrote.
"And I have a voice too, and mine seeks the truth, and for good or for evil, mine is the speech that cannot be silenced," Mena declared.
Man died in April after setting himself on fire outside of courthouse
He concluded by writing, "To the 10 thousand children in Gaza that have lost a limb in this conflict, I give my left arm to you. I pray my voice was able to raise up yours, and that your smiles never disappear."
Mena is not the only person who attempted self-immolation over the past year to make a political statement, as another man did the same in April.
According to NBC News, Florida resident Maxwell Azzarello traveled to New York City and set himself on fire outside of the courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal trial was being held. Azzarello was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.
