A protestor with a Palestinian flag set themselves on fire Dec. 1 outside the Midtown Atlanta building that houses the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast.
The protester — whose identity has not been released publicly — suffered third-degree burns over 100 percent of their body and was reported to be in critical condition at Grady Hospital.
A security guard who tried to stop the self-immolation suffered burns to a wrist and leg. Television footage showed the guard, later identified by WSB-TV as Michael Harris, being placed in an ambulance, and taken to Grady Hospital.
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Harris’ family told WSB that the protester was a woman.
Atlanta fire Chief Rod Smith told reporters at the scene that the protestor arrived at the 1100 Spring Street building at 12.17 p.m., at which time “The security guard noticed that the individual was attempting to set themselves on fire. He immediately attempted, but failed, to stop the individual.”
Smith, who called the fire an act of arson, said that the protester was alone.
At the same press conference, Atlanta chief of police Darin Schierbaum said, “We believe it was an act of extreme political protest.”
“We do not believe there was any nexus to terrorism,” Schierbaum said, adding that “Right now, we’re not aware of any credible threat against this location, against the consulate or its staff or anyone in this building.”
In addition to the Atlanta Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit and Atlanta fire and rescue personnel, agents of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were present.
A photograph published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed an Atlanta fire department investigator carrying a red gasoline can. “We found evidence of gasoline being utilized as an accelerant,” Smith said.
![](https://fultonwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ISRAEL_Protester-on-Fire-Outside-Consulate-Photo-2-640x400.jpg)
A pro-Palestinian protester lit herself on fire outside of the building that houses the…
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