WASHINGTON — A man was hospitalized after police say he attempted to light himself on fire during a demonstration in Northwest D.C. Saturday evening.
According to a statement from Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, the demonstration was happening in the 800 block of 16th Street, Northwest when a participant attempted to light himself on fire.
The fire was put out by Metropolitan Police officers and other members of the public. DC Fire and EMS later arrived and took the man to an area hospital. While his arms were burned, he is expected to survive.
Smith released a statement on Saturday evening saying, in part:
"The District of Columbia has a long and proud history of peaceful First Amendment activities and the Metropolitan Police Department handles hundreds of protests, demonstrations, and other events every year. We will continue to support those who choose to protest peacefully and safely, and we will continue to hold accountable those who commit criminal acts while in our city."
In February, a 25-year-old active-duty Air Force airman died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Northwest D.C.
In a video obtained of the incident, investigators say Aaron Bushnell identified himself as an Air Force member and said, "I will no longer be complicit in genocide” before going on to say what he’s about to do is minimal compared to the suffering of Palestinians. He then sets a camera on the ground in front of him and pours an unknown liquid all over himself. Investigators say while igniting the liquid, he kept yelling "Free Palestine" repeatedly.
