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1963 Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk ThÃch Quang Duc copycat effort ?
Authorities have yet to release further details about the protester, withholding the name, age, and gender out of respect for privacy and ongoing investigations, AP reported.
According to Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith, the unidentified individual, who had a Palestinian flag at the scene, reportedly doused themselves in gasoline and set themself on fire as an act of political protest. The security guard who intervened suffered burns on his wrist and leg.
Too bad about the Security Guard
Emergency services were dispatched to the midtown neighborhood location where the protest took place. Both the protester and the security guard were rushed to the hospital, with the protester enduring severe burn injuries and remaining in a critical condition.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, addressing a news conference, clarified that there was no perceived threat to the consular staff and no link to terrorism was evident.
"This appears to be an extreme act of political protest," Schierbaum said.