A Tibetan man protesting China\u2019s occupation fatally set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening, capturing the horrifying scene on livestreamed footage.<\/p>\n
The protester, identified by a friend as Lobga Rangzen, was dressed in full monastic garb when he planted a Tibetan flag on the sidewalk and then self-immolated along the busy street during the evening rush, according to the video.<\/p>\n
He scattered pieces of paper as he burned to death.<\/p>\n
Rangzen, who has lived in the US for about 20 years and worked as an Uber driver, crumbled to the ground less than a minute after he was engulfed in flames as passing cars honked their horns.<\/p>\n
An apparent protester set himself on fire outside New York City\u2019s United Nations headquarters on Thursday. Obtained by the NY Post<\/p>\n
About 15 seconds later, a pair of first responders with fire extinguishers doused the flames.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rangzen, 42, was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.<\/p>\n
One witness, a 37-year-old man from New Jersey, said that he \u201cjust saw some smoke from over there, gushing up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a big flame with fire,\u201d he continued, adding that he saw two officers from the UN put out the flames.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank god they were there, but it was too late man.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the time first responders arrived, Rangzen\u2019s breathing was so faint his survival seemed unlikely, the witness said.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred at 42nd Street and First Avenue, where an NYPD officer is seen holding a sign reading \u201cChina Out of Tibet.\u201d William C Lopez\/NY Post<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was too far gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lobsang Paljor, a fellow Uber driver and friend of Rangzen, said he met Rangzen through their local Tibetan community and was shocked that he self-immoluted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paljor said his friend embraced peaceful protests.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, never aggression,\u201d Paljor told The Post. \u201cBut he was always like, you know, peaceful protest, as always,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Paljor emphasized that Rongzen opposed the Chinese occupation and that he wanted \u201cto have a complete, free Tibet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sources said Lobga Rangzen, the man who lit himself on fire, who was identified by a friend of his, did so at around 7 p.m. Facebook<\/p>\n
The flag was still in place about an hour after the shocking display as cops investigated the scene.<\/p>\n
Police were spotted carrying the sheets of paper that Rongzen scattered, one of which said \u201cCHINA OUT OF TIBET\u201d \u2014 a slogan commonly associated with the Tibetan Independence Movement, or contemporary \u201cFree Tibet<\/a>\u201d movement.<\/p>\n Since March 2009, more than 150 people are known to have set themselves on fire in Tibet to protest what they describe as \u201cChinese occupation,\u201d according to Free Tibet.<\/p>\n The \u201cFree Tibet\u201d movement seeks to recapture sovereignty for the Tibet Autonomous Region, marked by the restoration of power to the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism.<\/p>\n The protester was taken to Bellevue Hospital in grave condition. Obtained by the NY Post<\/p>\n \u201cMany of the protesters have shouted slogans while on fire, including calling for the Dalai Lama\u2019s long life and his return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet,\u201d Free Tibet says on its official website.<\/p>\n \u201cSevere punishments are handed out to those accused of assisting or encouraging the protesters or sharing information abroad,\u201d Free Tibet continues.<\/p>\n This movement challenges the region\u2019s incorporation into China, which followed the Seventeen Point Agreement in May 1951 \u2014 an accord that sought to establish a peaceful transition while the People\u2019s Liberation Army moved into the region.<\/p>\n The Tibet flag was still on display about an hour after the shocking incident occurred. William C Lopez\/NY Post<\/p>\n