I am an active duty Air Force lieutenant looking to gain a conscientious objector discharge due to my horror over the U.S. role in the Gaza genocide. Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation a year ago started me on my journey.
Through his self-immolation, Aaron Bushnell aligned himself with the Palestinian people and joined them outside the universe of moral obligation of the West. One year later we are still struggling to understand his radical action.
Aaron Bushnell died by self-immolation in protest of the Gaza genocide a year ago today. His memory should stir a fire in our souls, and force us to evaluate our commitment to a better world.
The Democratic Party has patched over the contradiction in its coalition between antiwar progressives and Zionists for 60 years. The Gaza genocide is finally causing a crisis.
What Aaron Bushnell did was an act of fierce, principled love in a situation of extreme desperation. It unflinchingly declared that even in the heart of the empire the lies of Zionism no longer hold.
The image of Aaron Bushnell will stick with many people for the rest of their lives. His act will be remembered along many others who made an ultimate sacrifice against injustice. Just don’t expect U.S. politicians or media to remember him that way.
Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old soldier in the United States Air Force, died on Sunday after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC in protest of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.