On February 25th, 2024, Aaron Bushnell of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC. Aaron’s act of self immolation was done in protest of the United States active role in funding and enabling the genocide in Palestine. He declared he would “no longer be complicit in genocide” before setting himself alight. While burning, Aaron yelled Free Palestine.. and in the most American possible reaction to witnessing such an act, a Secret Service officer pointed a gun at the burning body.

There is a long history of self immolation being used as a tool to bring awareness to injustices. Most of these acts are done to raise awareness of the plight of the people within the immolators country, like the case of Tarek El-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi, who set off the Arab Spring in 2011. What makes Aaron’s sacrifice unique to many of these acts is that he did this to bring awareness to an injustice his country was perpetrating. It makes his sacrifice especially unique, and those dismissing and critiquing him especially unique for the depth of their lack of humanity.

May Aaron and his golden heart rest in peace.

6/30/98 - 2/25/24

Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 12"