Self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (February 2024) |
| Part of Israel–Hamas war protests in the United States | |
| Date | February 25, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Embassy of Israel, Washington, D.C., United States |
| Type | Self-immolation |
| Motive | Opposition to United States support for Israel in the Israel–Hamas war |
| Deaths | 1 (Unconfirmed) |
On February 25, 2024, United States military serviceman Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire outside the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Bushnell cited ongoing United States support for Israel in the Israel–Hamas war as the motivation for his immolation, declaring "I will no longer be complicit in genocide."[1][2][3][4]
The act was livestreamed on Twitch.[1] As the act occurred, Bushnell repeatedly screamed "Free Palestine" while on fire. The Metropolitan Police Department responded to assist the United States Secret Service after he set himself on fire, and he was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.[5] The hospital has not given an update on his condition; however, an independent journalist reported that he had died.[6] This event marks the first time that a member of the United States military on active duty has immolated themself.
Background
Bushnell started his career at the United States Air Force (USAF) in May 2020, having done Basic & Technical Training. He was trained as a Client Systems Technician having been educated in cybersecurity. He later worked as a DevOps engineer for the USAF while being based in San Antonio, Texas.[6]
Self-immolation
Many of us like to ask ourselves, 'What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?' The answer is, you're doing it. Right now.
Aaron Bushnell, final message on Facebook.[7]
Bushnell reportedly sent a message to media outlets before his planned self-immolation where he wrote "Today, I am planning to engage in an extreme act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people".[6]
On February 25, 2024, at approximately 12:58pm local time, Bushnell approached the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. intending to immolate himself as an act of protest against the Israeli-Palestine conflict. He had also created a Twitch account[6] under the name "LillyAnarKitty" with a Palestinian flag as his profile banner with the caption "Free Palestine". While livestreaming, he said "I am an active duty member, of the United States Airforce. And I will no longer be complicit to genocide. I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest. But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at their hands of their colonizers - it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal,"[8] while walking towards the Israeli Embassy.
Outside the gates of the embassy, Bushnell placed his camera down and positioned himself in front of the gates. He poured a flammable liquid over himself, exclaimed "free Palestine"[6] and threw the canister holding the flammable liquid on the side. A security officer approached Bushnell, asking if he needed help, but was ignored. Bushnell then ignited himself and screamed "free Palestine" four times in pain. After saying "free Palestine" one last time, he collapsed to the ground. The security officer radioed in for assistance. Another police officer approached the scene, aiming a gun at Bushnell off-camera and ordered him to "get on the ground" multiple times.
Multiple officers responded to the scene and used fire extinguishers on Bushnell. He was transported by the DC Fire and EMS to a local hospital.
Aftermath
The Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced they would investigate the incident.[6]
Twitch removed Bushnell's livestream due to guideline violations.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b Pitofsky, Marina; Ortiz, Jorge L.; Nguyen, Thao (February 25, 2024). "Air Force member in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Kavi, Aishvarya (February 25, 2024). "A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, the police said". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Karanth, Sanjana (February 25, 2024). "Man Allegedly Sets Himself On Fire In Front Of Israeli Embassy In Washington". HuffPost. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Gannon, Casey; Hansler, Jennifer; Rose, Rashard (February 25, 2024). "US airman sets himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy in Washington". CNN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "Who is Aaron Bushnell, US Air Force member sets himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy in Washington". The Economic Times. February 25, 2024. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Guzman, Chad de (February 25, 2024). "U.S. Air Force Member Sets Self on Fire Outside Israel's Embassy in D.C. to Protest War in Gaza". Time. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Rahman, K. (February 26, 2024). "Aaron Bushnell's Facebook reveals final message before self-immolation". Newsweek. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ Nieto, Phillip (February 25, 2024). "Air Force Service Member Sets Himself On Fire Outside Israeli Embassy". Mediaite. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
