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Memories of Aaron Bushnell

On February 25, Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire at the gate of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC as an act of protest against the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Hostile critics have attempted to shrug off Aaron’s action as the consequence of mental illness. On the contrary, Aaron’s choice was a political action arising from his deeply held anarchist convictions. In the following collection, we share Aaron’s own summary of his politics, followed by testimony from three of Aaron’s close friends.

Schmoo ,
@Schmoo@slrpnk.net avatar

The more I read and hear about this man, the more I see a reflection of myself. While our lives went in different directions, the descriptions of his upbringing and of how his beliefs changed over time mirror my own so closely that I feel like I've lost a brother I never had the pleasure of meeting. Even his friends' accounts of his mannerisms remind me a lot of myself, and I feel the same guilt at how little I am able to do in the face of so much injustice.

It makes me incredibly sad and angry at the system that drove Aaron Bushnell to such an extreme act. That his life and body burned in order to inspire this feeling in me is devastating, but highlights that burning one's life and body as well as the life and body of others is the routine and cold logic the state uses to maintain its hegemony.

dillekant ,

He's me on a good day, maybe my best day. One thing is for sure, I never met him but he's our people.

schmorpel ,
@schmorpel@slrpnk.net avatar

No, no and no. Of course he was free to do what he wanted, but come on, can we please finally stop glorifying suicide for whatever reason? We cannot afford to lose more kindhearted people.

Sorry if my input offends anyone, but this makes me angry and sad. Anarchy is not supposed to be a cult of martyrs.

SteveKLord OP ,
@SteveKLord@slrpnk.net avatar

I understand your sentiment and appreciate it but I disagree with it. I'm not offended but I'm curious if you read all this. In no way is anyone glorifying suicide or encouraging it and his friend from the military states clearly that that's not what this was. I didn't read this is as glorifying or martyring him but honoring the message and who this man was. I'm sad as well but would rather do that without directing anger at those remembering him.

speck ,

Thank you for sharing this. Not completely finished it yet, but what a counter point to some of mainstream coverage

SteveKLord OP ,
@SteveKLord@slrpnk.net avatar

I'm glad you enjoyed it! It definitely is. You may also appreciate Democracy Now's coverage yesterday where they interviewed his friend from the military https://youtu.be/6f8MYAF1L9M?si=vmyZ25IK8fIg9-22

speck , (edited )

Thanks! Will watch it

Edit to say I watched it. His friend was incredibly well spoken. And brave in his own right, frankly.

Rozauhtuno ,
@Rozauhtuno@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

[Thread, post or comment was deleted by the author]

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    SteveKLord OP ,
    @SteveKLord@slrpnk.net avatar

    Tthanks. When you reply to posts or comments, consider commenting on the content of the post as well as the form

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