Man Burns Arm in US Protest Against Israel-Hamas Conflict

Photo : AFP

Washington: On Saturday, thousands took to the streets across the United States, from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, demanding an immediate ceasefire as the Israel-Hamas war approaches its one-year mark. In a shocking incident during the protests, a man attempted to set himself on fire in an act of self-immolation.

These demonstrations were part of a global day of action against the escalating violence, particularly as Israel has ramped up its military operations in Lebanon. The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the tragic deaths of 1,205 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an official tally that includes hostages who died in captivity.

Since the onset of the war, over 41,825 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have lost their lives due to Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, as reported by the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza. The United Nations has recognized these figures as credible.

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In Washington, more than a thousand protesters gathered outside the White House, expressing their outrage and calling for an end to U.S. military assistance and other support for Israel. Zaid Khatib, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, voiced strong sentiments against the U.S. government's role, stating, "The US government has really shown what side of history it is on. It has co-signed the most evil atrocities that we've seen of this century."

Participants waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags, brandished signs, and chanted slogans in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of righteous anger and a call for peace.

Approximately two hours into the protest, a man approached the demonstration site and made a distressing attempt to set himself on fire. Witnesses reported that he successfully ignited his left arm before bystanders and police intervened, quickly dousing the flames with water and using their keffiyehs—traditional Palestinian scarves—to extinguish the fire.

In between cries of pain, the man shouted, "I'm a journalist, and we neglect it; we spread misinformation." Authorities later confirmed that he was receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

In New York City, thousands marched in Times Square, many carrying photos of victims of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have devastated large areas of the territory. Prominent rights activist Cornel West, who is also an independent candidate in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, participated in the march. "I'm here to forever be in solidarity with people undergoing a vicious genocide," West stated. "Dealing with ethnic cleansing, it's getting worse; it's been a whole year now. We have to keep fighting."

The United States has long been one of Israel's closest allies, providing substantial military assistance. This topic resonated strongly with protesters in both Washington and New York. Daniel Perez, a resident of New York, expressed his discontent, saying, "As an American, we're tired of our tax money going to Israel to bomb kids in Palestine and then Lebanon."

In Los Angeles, demonstrators echoed the calls for an end to what they labeled as "genocide" in Gaza. The chants for "justice" and "peace" reverberated off the office buildings in downtown Washington, fueled by a palpable sense of solidarity among the crowd.

Laila, an American of Palestinian and Lebanese descent, shared her disillusionment with her country’s leadership, indicating that she might refrain from voting in the upcoming elections. "It all disgusts me now," she lamented. "It's all a lie."

As the protests unfolded, they highlighted the growing unrest and the deep-seated frustrations surrounding U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict. The day served as a powerful reminder of the urgent calls for peace and justice from various communities across the nation.

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