Self-immolation as political protest: a brief modern history
A U.S. service member's self-immolation in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., this weekend appears to be exceptional even in the context of others who have staged public deaths for a political cause.
![People march to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jan Palach's death on January 16, 2019 at Wenceslas Square in Prague. Czech Republic natives have frequently paid tribute to the student activist who burnt himself to death to defend freedom. Several people are shown holding banners and signs at a demonstration in a nighttime, urban setting. One sign reads, 'Jan Palach.'](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7126884.1709051317!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/1083380078.jpg)
A U.S. service member's self-immolation in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., this weekend appears to be exceptional even in the context of others who have staged public deaths for a political cause.