Man sets arm on fire as marches across US mark Gaza war anniversary

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Oct 2024 10:32
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Thousands of people marched across US cities, from Washington to Los Angeles, calling for an immediate ceasefire to the war on Gaza. During the protests, a man attempted to set himself on fire in an act of protest.

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Man sets arm on fire during pro-Palestinian protest in Washington on October 5, 2024. (AFP)

Thousands took to the streets in cities across the US, from Washington to Los Angeles, on Saturday, calling for an immediate ceasefire as the war on Gaza approaches its first anniversary.

During the protests, a man attempted to set himself on fire in a display of dissent. These demonstrations were part of a global day of action against the ongoing war, which has recently seen an escalation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

The latest poll by the Gaza Health Ministry reported 41,825 civilians killed, and 96,910 more injured on the 365th day of aggression against the Gaza Strip.

In Washington, a crowd of over a thousand protesters gathered outside the White House, expressing their outrage and calling for the US to stop its military aid and support to "Israel", its key ally.

Police took the man away and have set up a perimeter.

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
— Jessica Costescu (@JessicaCostescu) October 5, 2024

"The US government has really shown what side of history it is on," Zaid Khatib, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, told AFP. "The US government has performed and co-signed the most evil atrocities that we've seen of this century."

Protesters waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags, along with others, while many held signs and chanted in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Around two hours into the demonstration, a man approached the area and attempted to set himself on fire, as witnessed by AFP journalists. He managed to ignite his left arm before bystanders and police intervened, quickly pouring water on him and using their keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves, to extinguish the flames.

"I'm a journalist and we neglect it, we spread the misinformation," he shouted, in between screams of pain as the fire on his arm was put out. Police said the man was being treated for "non-life threatening injuries."

'Ethnic cleansing'

In New York, thousands gathered in the iconic Times Square area, with some carrying photographs of individuals who lost their lives due to "Israel's" military actions in Gaza, which have devastated much of the region.

Among the participants was Cornel West, a well-known activist for civil rights and an independent candidate in the US presidential election. "I'm here to forever be in solidarity with people undergoing a vicious genocide," he told AFP.

"Dealing with ethnic cleansing it's getting worse, it's been a whole year now. You know, we got to keep fighting."

With regard to the billions being sent by the US to "Israel", a New York resident, Daniel Perez said, "As an American, we're tired of our tax money going to Israel to bomb kids in Palestine and then Lebanon."

Demonstrators also filled the streets in Los Angeles, with many displaying signs demanding an end to the "genocide" in Gaza. Chants for justice and peace echoed off the office buildings in the downtown area of Washinton, as the crowd was energized by a blend of righteous anger and spirited solidarity.

Laila, an American with Palestinian and Lebanese roots, shared with AFP her growing dissatisfaction with her country's leaders over the past year, expressing that she is unlikely to vote in the upcoming November elections. "It all disgusts me now," she remarked. "It's all a lie."

Earlier this year, Aaron Bushnell self-immolated outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., local Fire and Emergency Services (FEMS) confirmed to The Daily Beast on February 25, 2024.

His act of protest was perceived as the culmination of the increasing wave of dissatisfaction with the White House's policy regarding Gaza, according to Politico, confirming that "the self-immolation is an escalation of the anger from within the government, which until now manifested itself in resignations and hastily called group meetings."