On Friday, a dramatic scene unfolded outside the Manhattan court where former President Donald Trump is currently undergoing trial, as a man set himself on fire in a nearby park. Witnesses described the individual throwing pamphlets before officers rushed to extinguish the flames.
The man was later identified as Max Azzarello, 37, from St. Augustine, Florida, who had traveled to New York from out of state without his family’s knowledge, according to police statements reported by the New York Post.
The park was swiftly locked down by authorities, with ambulances on standby, and a pungent odor of burning chemicals permeated the air, observed an Agence France-Presse correspondent at the scene.
Video footage shared on social media depicted the harrowing moment when the individual was engulfed in flames before collapsing to the ground, prompting a swift response from police and plainclothes officers who worked to extinguish the blaze.
Before setting himself on fire, Azzarello reportedly tossed a stack of pamphlets into the air, containing links to a Substack newsletter titled “The Ponzi Papers,” authored by the self-immolator. The website featured a headline article detailing the act of protest and a lengthy manifesto delving into various conspiracy theories.
The incident occurred shortly after the jury selection process was completed for Trump’s trial, where he faces charges related to falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Despite the disruption, court proceedings were expected to resume following a delayed lunch break.
Authorities provided limited information on the motive behind the self-immolation, with a New York Police Department spokesman stating they were still gathering details from the scene.
This incident echoes a similar event in February when a U.S. airman set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., in protest against the conflict in Gaza.
The park where the self-immolation occurred is frequently used by protesters and media personnel, situated near several courthouses and other government buildings. Trump’s trial is being conducted under tight security measures, with Secret Service officers and court police closely monitoring proceedings in the courtroom.
