David Buckel doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire, having left two notes near the scene. In one he identified himself and said that he had committed a protest suicide. In the other one, a copy of which he had sent to The Daily News newspaper, he at length explained his motives.
He said he wanted his death to boost action with regard to the pervasive ecological catastrophe. "Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result – my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves," read the note.
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Buckel added that he hoped that his demise was "an honorable death that might serve others."
Extremely graphic photos have appeared on Twitter, showing the horrifying aftermath of the lawyer's suicide.
WARNING: The following photos are graphic and may offend sensibilities
I went back over there in the early evening and this is what they left. I mean, no clean up? pic.twitter.com/MgUolibvtX
— AKA Mrs Amy Orr (@AmyHamberry) 15 апреля 2018 г.
Buckel had worked as the marriage project director for famed Lambda Legal, the US's first legal organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
Buckel had earlier gained fame as he represented in court Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was killed in the state of Nebraska in 1993. The story was portrayed in the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry," and actress Hilary Swank received an Oscar for her portrayal of Teena. Twitter users immediately recalled this, when sharing their R.I.P. comments:
I'm so saddened and heartsick over the death of David Buckel.
— Michael DeVito for Congress (@mdevitojr) 15 апреля 2018 г.
My pledge to the Off Fossil Fuels Act will continue in his honor. @OffFossilFuels @TulsiPress#HR3671 #OffAct
He asked that we be better humans. We must.
Condolences to all who loved him @SDNYC @NBCOUT https://t.co/QHI5ysVb9r
I'm so saddened and heartsick over the death of David Buckel.
— Michael DeVito for Congress (@mdevitojr) 15 апреля 2018 г.
My pledge to the Off Fossil Fuels Act will continue in his honor. @OffFossilFuels @TulsiPress#HR3671 #OffAct
He asked that we be better humans. We must.
Condolences to all who loved him @SDNYC @NBCOUT https://t.co/QHI5ysVb9r
Some said Buckel’s marriage rights legacy would by no means be forgotten.
RIP David Buckel. Your legacy of securing marriage equality in the United States will not be forgotten. https://t.co/7MHZdDHC70
— Millennial Politics (@MillenPolitics) 15 апреля 2018 г.
Buckel's suicide resembles harsh protests by self-immolation from past years. For instance, Buddhist monks burned themselves to death to rebel against a repressive regime in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
