Protestors flood the scene as police extinguish the fire. (Adam Lipman/Mitzpeh)
An anti-Israel protester lit himself on fire on Saturday during a thousands-strong protest outside the White House, marking a year since October 7.
With his left forearm ablaze, the man raised his fist. Panic broke out as police officers attempted to secure the scene and extinguish the fire.
Multiple eyewitnesses at the demonstration, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), claimed he set his arm ablaze on purpose.
It was unclear whether the self-immolator possessed additional incendiaries. Police arrested and transported him to a hospital to treat the burns.
“Someone has just set themselves on fire for our revolution,” shouted a PYM organizer in an impromptu speech. “I want everyone here to take this story into your heart. Tell your friends and family the price people have paid for this revolution. You and I will remember that the price of revolution is steep. There are people willing to pay with their blood and their souls.”
This is not the first instance of self-immolation in support of the Palestinian national movement. February of this year, 25-year-old Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell died after setting himself ablaze outside of the Israeli embassy in Washington.
The crowd centered around a platform hosting the event’s speakers. A blend of cigarettes, vape and marijuana permeated the air as various chants kicked off the proceedings.
Participants joined in to shout specific keywords, such as “shame” and “genocide,” to the beat of drums. One of the event organizers turned the focus onto the significance of the one-year anniversary.
“There is a clear right and wrong and Israel will forever be on the wrong side. We must attack Zionism at every chance. That’s what we’ve done the last year,” the organizer said.
Protestors wave their flags and signs. (Adam Lipman/Mitzpeh)
As people finished filing in, the Palestinian Youth Movement celebrated the recent court ruling against the University of Maryland.
“The University of Maryland shut down a Palestinian vigil and allowed an Israel vigil to stay. Shame! [The Council on American-Islamic Relations and Palestine Legal] took them to court and won. We will be there on Monday to remember the martyrs,” the organizer continued.
This University had previously ruled that all unaffiliated events would be canceled on October 7.
A man on a scooter glared at Mitzpeh, pointed at his neck tattoo, which appeared to represent a gang affiliation, and said: “You better get your facts straight. It’s 100 years of oppression, not one.”
He sought to ensure the Palestinian cause would not be characterized as only beginning last October 7. The comment came across as a threat of physical violence.
Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) representative Sean Blackmon declared that American capitalism is why Israel receives support from some U.S. politicians.
“Zionism is a part of Joe Biden’s imperialist plan for total hegemony. Who do you think is behind Palestine and Lebanon? We are not trying to influence politicians. They are all a part of an imperialist regime. We want power. We want to send our oppressors to the dustbin of history. If it means genocide, so be it,” Blackmon said.
“Smash Zionism” chants broke out for the first time as the crowd reawakened from a lull. They passionately yelled, “Long live the intifada! Intifada! Intifada,” rivaling the previous cheers about the lawsuit victory.
A participant at the protest excitedly likened the red stop sign hand on the closed roads to the Ramallah lynching in 2000.
A young child led the crowd in chanting “free Palestine” and “there is only one solution: Intifada, revolution!”
Merchandise sellers distributing flags, shirts and hats for Gaza set up stands across the area. One of the vendors, who refused to share his name, explained to Mitzpeh why he came to the demonstration.
A merchandise table stocked with items. (Adam Lipman/Mitzpeh)
“People are dying. It’s got to stop. There is too much blood. All these proceeds are going to help people in Gaza right now,” he said.
When asked if sales aligned with expectations, he grimaced disappointingly, saying, “It’s not like that. You can’t predict sales like that.”
The vendor proceeded to tease this week’s incoming wave of protest.
“If you think this is big, get ready for Monday,” he said.
The Palestinian Youth Movement’s DMV chapter has only one event scheduled for Oct. 7: the on-campus vigil hosted by this University’s Students for Justice in Palestine group at 6PM.
Unofficial medics roamed with backpacks and blue vests to avoid blending in with most attendees’ red and green clothes.
One medic, who declined to share a name, spoke on what inspired his decision to volunteer.
“I’m a volunteer medic here. We’re part of the People’s medic collective and cover these protests. I got started one year ago when the movement began. It’s genocide and I have to do whatever I can to support Palestine,” the medic said.
He downplayed the training process and suggested that medics for the protests are not vetted for experience.
“No, we are just here,” the medic said.
Protestors significantly impeded a wedding in neighboring St John’s Church. After the ceremony, the bride and groom proceeded onto the street and a section of the crowd began chanting “Intifada” at them, drowning out the processional trumpets. Mitzpeh did not observe any incitement by the wedding party before the incident.
