‘We spread the misinformation’ - Former CBS Photojournalist Sets Self on Fire

On Saturday, 5 October 2024, U.S. based photojournalist Samuel Mena Jr III set his left arm on fire during a pro-Palestine protest in front of the White house.

Mena demonstrated this extreme act of protest for the Palestinian children in Gaza who lost their limbs during the ongoing genocide.

This dramatic act brought to light the depth of frustrations over the conflict, stirring public attention.

An Emotional and Symbolic Protest

Graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Samuel Mena participated in a pro-Palestine protest at Freedom Plaza, Washington D.C. Mena worked as a broadcast photojournalist for CBS News’ Arizona counterpart, AZFamily.

In a blog post, Mena wrote an in-depth piece on American media, and U.S. support of genocide in Palestinian Gaza. At the end of his statement, Mena wrote, ‘To the 10 thousand children in Gaza that have lost a limb in this conflict, I give my left arm to you.’

Since the incident, Mena lost his job while receiving treatment for his injuries.

Bystanders and Emergency Response

Witnesses reacted quickly, using water and clothing to douse the flames. Bystanders rushed to extinguish the fire as Mena screamed in pain. The police and medical teams soon arrived, treating Mena and rushing him to the hospital.

Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the event, and Mena’s current condition is under medical observation. Authorities did not make any arrests at the scene.

Call for Media Accountability

Mena’s protest was driven by his frustration with how the media covers the Israeli-Palestinian war, particularly its portrayal of Palestinian suffering.

During his protest, Mena said tearfully, “We spread the misinformation,” and “I’m a journalist, and I said it was ok.”

He sought to push for balanced reporting and greater recognition of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially the toll it takes on children. His act reflects the extreme lengths to which some individuals feel compelled to go in order to raise awareness about global injustices.

Reports of Self Immolation in the U.S.

For similar causes, Aaron Bushnell and Matt Nelson self-immolated in 2024 as extreme protests against U.S. policies supporting Israel.

In February, Bushnell, a U.S. Air Force airman, set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. He condemned what he viewed as American complicity in the violence against Palestinians in Gaza. Bushnell succumbed to his injuries, and died from his act.

In September, Nelson engaged in a similar act outside the Israeli consulate in Boston, expressing his discontent with U.S. arms sales to Israel and advocating for international action against Israeli leadership. Medical professionals are now treating Nelson for his extensive injuries.

These incidents underscore the continuing use of self-immolation as a political protest in the U.S., reminiscent of earlier acts during the Vietnam War. Both Bushnell’s and Nelson’s actions reflect deep personal and political anguish, revealing the lengths to which individuals will go to draw attention to causes they believe deserve more recognition.

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