Journalist Sets Himself Ablaze Outside the White House During Pro-Palestinian Protest [Video]

In a stunning turn of events, a man claiming to be a “journalist” and “visual storyteller” nearly set himself ablaze during a pro-Palestinian protest outside the White House on Saturday.

The graphic footage captured the pandemonium as the man, identified as Samuel Mena Jr., ignited his own arm in Lafayette Park, surrounded by a sea of protesters.  Bystanders and police rushed to extinguish the flames as Mena’s anguished screams echoed through the chaos.

In a harrowing moment caught on camera, he could be heard yelling and letting people know he was fine.

“I’m a journalist, and I said it was OK!” as his arm was engulfed in fire. When the flames were finally doused, his arm was left severely burned, the unsettling aftermath of his act of demonstration.

Prior to the protest, Mena teased his dramatic appearance on social media.

“I will be streaming live from the White House exterior on Instagram live in 30 minutes. The first 30 minutes will be spent doing tech troubleshooting, and I will give a speech in an hour from now. @SamuelMenaJr.”

I will be streaming live from the White House exterior on instagram live in 30 minutes. The first 30 minutes will be spent doing tech trouble shooting, and I will give a speech in an hour from now. @SamuelMenaJr

— Sam Mena Jr 🇵🇸🏳️‍⚧️ (@SamuelMenaJr) October 5, 2024

Just hours earlier, he tweeted a defiant message: “End settler colonialism,” alongside a photo of himself grinning in front of a Palestinian flag.

End settler colonialism pic.twitter.com/NwL4wuqA42

— Sam Mena Jr 🇵🇸🏳️‍⚧️ (@SamuelMenaJr) October 5, 2024

According to his profile, Mena graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and is currently a production assistant and photojournalist for AZFamily Channels 3 and 5.  He has not provided any updates regarding his condition.