Former CBS journalist Samuel Mena Jr. III set his left arm on fire outside the White House on October 5, 2024, to express his dissatisfaction with U.S. media coverage of the Gaza war.
Mena, a photojournalist and graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, has previously worked for AZFamily, the Arizona branch of CBS News. He joined a pro-Palestine protest at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., where he undertook this extreme measure to express solidarity with Palestinian children in Gaza who have lost their limbs amidst the ongoing violence.
In a personal blog post leading up to the event, Mena criticized U.S. media and its stance on Gaza, questioning American complicity in what he described as a “genocide” in Palestinian territories.
“To the 10,000 children in Gaza who have lost a limb in this conflict, I give my left arm to you,” he wrote. Following the incident, Mena’s employment was terminated, and he is currently receiving medical care for his injuries.
Onlookers at this self-immolation acted quickly to douse the flames, spraying water on Meena’s arm and clothing before emergency services arrived. Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police have since opened an investigation into the incident, though no arrests were made. Mena’s condition remains under observation.
The former CBS journalist’s protest shows his dissatisfaction with U.S. media’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly its limited focus on Palestinian suffering.
In a statement captured by witnesses, Mena said emotionally, “We spread misinformation… I’m a journalist, and I said it was ok.” He cited a need for more balanced reporting and raised concerns about the often-overlooked humanitarian toll on Gaza’s civilian population, especially children.
