“It was reported that there was a Palestinian flag in the area as part of a protest,” said Darin Schierbaum, police chief of the southern US city.
According to him, this incident was probably an extreme expression of political protest.
A security guard who tried to stop the protester was also injured, according to first responders.
“Both individuals suffered burns,” Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith told reporters. He did not specify the age or gender of the protester.
According to R. Smith, a security guard noticed that the person was trying to set himself on fire shortly after the protester came to the consulate building around noon on Friday local time (19:00 Lithuanian time).
The security guard immediately tried to restrain the person but was unable to do so, the fire chief added.
Smith said the security guard had burns on his wrist and leg, and the protester was in critical condition with burns all over his body. Both were taken to hospital, he added.
“Special patrols are on duty in this place and in other Jewish and Muslim communities of the city,” said D. Schierbaum.
Anti-Semitic, anti-Arab and Islamophobic threats and violence have increased in the United States since Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip began in October.
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2024-08-24 00:08:11
