Climate activist set himself on fire outside Supreme Court on Earth day
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- A Colorado photographer died after setting himself on fire outside the Supreme Court on Earth Day.
- Wynn Bruce, 50, is a climate change activist.
- Bruce’s friend said the act is not suicide but an “act of compassion to bring attention to [the] climate crisis.”
A photographer from Boulder, Colorado died after setting himself on fire outside the U.S. Supreme Court in protest on Earth Day. Wynn Bruce of Boulder, 50, aimed to bring awareness to the seriousness of climate change.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., Bruce died after Friday’s incident which unfolded around 6:30 p.m. ET.
In a statement to NBC News, a spokesperson for the Supreme court said that no one else was injured in the incident. Authorities confirmed that Bruce was airlifted to a hospital where he died from his injuries, the New York Times and NBC News reported.
Climate scientist Dr. Kritee Kanko wrote on Twitter Sunday that Bruce was her “friend.” Kanko, who is also a Zen Buddhist priest, also wrote that Bruce “meditated with our sangha.”
“This act is not suicide. This is a deeply fearless act of compassion to bring attention to [the] climate crisis,” she continued. “We are piecing together info but he had been planning it for at least one year. #wynnbruce I am so moved.”
Kanko quoted a tweet from journalist Steve Silberman, who wrote, “Just found what I think is Wynn Bruce’s FB profile, and it’s heartbreaking.”
“He was a #Shambhala Buddhist disturbed about climate change, posting photos of Thich Nhat Hanh and other teachers. May those who loved him find peace,” Silberman added.
Bruce made an edited comment on an October 2020 Facebook post about climate change that read “4-1-1 (fire emoji) 4/22/2022.”
In an interview with the Times, Kanko said “people are being driven to extreme amounts of climate grief and despair” over environmental issues. But, she discouraged people from emulating Bruce.
“What I do not want to happen is that young people start thinking about self-immolation.”
Source: People
