A Tibetan man protesting China’s control over Tibet set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening, capturing the act in a livestream that shocked onlookers during the busy rush hour.
The protester, identified by a friend as 42-year-old Lobga Rangzen, who had lived in the United States for approximately 20 years, arrived at the scene dressed in full monastic robes. He planted a Tibetan flag on the sidewalk near 42nd Street and First Avenue before igniting himself in a fiery act of defiance.
Video footage of the incident shows Rangzen engulfed in flames as passing vehicles honked their horns. He collapsed to the ground within less than a minute. First responders arrived swiftly, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames about 15 seconds later. Emergency personnel transported him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police investigating the scene recovered materials, including signs reading “CHINA OUT OF TIBET,” a rallying slogan tied to the Tibetan independence movement. The flag remained visible at the location for at least an hour afterward as authorities continued their probe.
This incident highlights the ongoing desperation within segments of the Tibetan community. According to Free Tibet, more than 150 people have set themselves on fire inside Tibet since March 2009 to protest what they describe as Chinese occupation.
“Many of the protesters have shouted slogans while on fire, including calling for the Dalai Lama’s long life and his return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet,” Free Tibet states on its website.
The organization further notes the severe repercussions faced by those involved: “Severe punishments are handed out to those accused of assisting or encouraging the protesters or sharing information abroad.”
The Free Tibet movement advocates for the restoration of sovereignty to the Tibet Autonomous Region, including the return of spiritual leadership under the Dalai Lama. Historically, the region enjoyed de facto autonomy before its incorporation into China following the 1951 Seventeen Point Agreement.
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