A disturbing video depicts a protester who works in the media reportedly setting himself on fire outside of the White House during an anti-Israel protest on Saturday evening.
One video clip depicts the man, who is identified as photojournalist Samuel Mena Jr., screaming in agony after he sets his left arm ablaze in the middle of the street.
Astounded police officers and bystanders race to assist, the man is seen screaming in pain.
Several individuals rapidly douse Mena with water and extinguish the flames with pieces of clothing, while he holds his left arm, which is engulfed in flames, high in the air to demonstrate to others.
HORRIFYING NEWS
— sophiabrooks (@sophiabroo53172) October 6, 2024
A protestor attempted to self-immolate outside
the White House during a Pro-Palestinian rally.@SamuelMenaJr. was seen trying to light himself on fire in Lafayette Park, where a large number of protestors were gathered on Saturday.
Pictures taken at the scene by… pic.twitter.com/79Qa5UzzuW
The left sleeve of his burned shirt is drenched in liquid, and his exposed arm is adorned with pink, superficial burns.
Mena questioned the media’s objectivity in its coverage of the conflict in Gaza in a lengthy blog that was posted to his website prior to the incident on Saturday.
According to the Washington DC Metropolitan Police, Mena set himself on fire in the 800 block of 16th Street, which is located just outside of the White House, at approximately 5:45 p.m.
[READ MORE: New Poll Shows Most Americans Think Israel-Iran Showdown to Lead to Wider War]
