A protester, identified as photojournalist Samuel Mena Jr , set himself on fire during an anti-Israel protest near the White House on Saturday evening, a shocking incident that was caught on video.
As per the New York Post, Mena, who works in the media, ignited his left arm in the middle of the street as horrified bystanders and police officers rushed to help.
DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported Mena to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department released a statement emphasising the city's commitment to supporting peaceful protests while holding accountable those who commit criminal acts.
Footage from the scene shows Mena holding his burning arm high in the air, shouting in pain as several people quickly doused him with water and attempted to extinguish the flames using clothing. After the fire was put out, Mena cried out, identifying himself as a journalist while DC Metropolitan police officers restrained him.
One clip being shared online showed Mena’s left sleeve drenched in liquid with visible superficial burns on his arm. As a passerby poured water on his wound, Mena yelled, “We spread the misinformation” and expressed his frustrations with the media’s portrayal of the war in Gaza. He also stated, "I’m a journalist and I said it was okay,” while being comforted by a woman at the scene.
Prior to the incident, Mena had posted a lengthy blog on his website, questioning the media’s objectivity regarding the Gaza conflict . In his post, he wrote a symbolic message dedicated to the children affected by the war, offering his left arm to the 10,000 children in Gaza who had lost limbs in the ongoing conflict.
The 36-year-old journalist, a graduate of Arizona State University ’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, has been working for AZFamily , a CBS affiliate, for the last two years. His protest occurred at 5:45 pm (local time) on 16th Street, just outside the White House.
The demonstration outside the White House was part of a larger protest demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Hamas ’ attack on Israel on 7 October, which claimed 1,200 Israeli lives. Protesters have condemned the Israeli military’s actions, which have resulted in an estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths in the past year.
As per the New York Post, Mena, who works in the media, ignited his left arm in the middle of the street as horrified bystanders and police officers rushed to help.
DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported Mena to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department released a statement emphasising the city's commitment to supporting peaceful protests while holding accountable those who commit criminal acts.
Footage from the scene shows Mena holding his burning arm high in the air, shouting in pain as several people quickly doused him with water and attempted to extinguish the flames using clothing. After the fire was put out, Mena cried out, identifying himself as a journalist while DC Metropolitan police officers restrained him.
One clip being shared online showed Mena’s left sleeve drenched in liquid with visible superficial burns on his arm. As a passerby poured water on his wound, Mena yelled, “We spread the misinformation” and expressed his frustrations with the media’s portrayal of the war in Gaza. He also stated, "I’m a journalist and I said it was okay,” while being comforted by a woman at the scene.
Police took the man away and have set up a perimeter.
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) October 5, 2024
The smell of fuel is very strong in the air.
It appears like the man only burned his arm because someone managed to pour water on him. pic.twitter.com/Y7Im7ECjMi
Prior to the incident, Mena had posted a lengthy blog on his website, questioning the media’s objectivity regarding the Gaza conflict . In his post, he wrote a symbolic message dedicated to the children affected by the war, offering his left arm to the 10,000 children in Gaza who had lost limbs in the ongoing conflict.
The 36-year-old journalist, a graduate of Arizona State University ’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, has been working for AZFamily , a CBS affiliate, for the last two years. His protest occurred at 5:45 pm (local time) on 16th Street, just outside the White House.
The demonstration outside the White House was part of a larger protest demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Hamas ’ attack on Israel on 7 October, which claimed 1,200 Israeli lives. Protesters have condemned the Israeli military’s actions, which have resulted in an estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths in the past year.
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