Earth Day is an annual day to bring awareness to climate change and environmental matters. A man set himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. on Earth Day in what appears to be a move to protest climate change, judging by his social media posts.
The police identified the man as Wynn Bruce, 50, of Boulder, Colorado. He reportedly died of his injuries after being airlifted to a hospital following the incident. The court said through CBS News that the man set himself on fire in the plaza in front of the Supreme Court building.
Although the outlet did not disclose the man’s motivation for setting himself on fire, it appears to be due to climate change.
Wynn Bruce Set Himself On Fire To Protest Climate Change, Some Believe
A medical helicopter just landed near the Capitol for a medical emergency.
This is not a public safety issue. pic.twitter.com/WmGGmlBOQY
— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 22, 2022
On Friday, U.S. Capitol Police tweeted, “A medical helicopter just landed near the Capitol for a medical emergency. This is not a public safety issue.” They also closed two roads due to a medical emergency.
One user, Rebecca Field, shared a Facebook screenshot of Wynn Alan Bruce’s Facebook account, which showed him sharing a post titled “Climate Change: The Science and Global Impact.” In the comments, Wynn apparently wrote 4-1-1[fire-emoji]4/22/2022.”
Wynn Alan Bruce announced his date and manner of death a year ago. pic.twitter.com/QQvLKn08tj
— Rebecca Field (@rebs_field) April 23, 2022
Another post showed that the comment had an edit history. Although they made the initial post “4-1-1” on April 20, 2021, they added the fire emoji on October 19, and the date of his death, which fell on Earth Day, on April 2, only twenty days before his death.
Sort of. Comment has an edit history. The date was only recently added, and without it, there isn’t much to act on. pic.twitter.com/6M3B18Wm2L
— Eva Rawls, PhD (@EvaRawlsPhD) April 24, 2022
Wynn Bruce Was Apparently A Shambhala Buddhist
Just found what I think is Wynn Bruce’s FB profile, and it’s heartbreaking. He was a #Shambhala Buddhist disturbed about climate change, posting photos of Thich Nhat Hanh and other teachers. May those who loved him find peace. https://t.co/4XoeyB3G5u
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) April 23, 2022
New York Times bestselling author Steve Silverman also looked into the details surrounding the man’s death.
On Saturday, he tweeted, “Just found what I think is Wynn Bruce’s FB profile, and it’s heartbreaking. He was a #Shambhala Buddhist disturbed about climate change, posting photos of Thich Nhat Hanh and other teachers. May those who loved him find peace.”
Thich Nhat Hanh:”Burning themselves aimed only at alarming, at moving the hearts of the oppressors, and at calling the attention of the world to the suffering endured then by the Vietnamese. To burn oneself by fire is to prove that what one is saying is of the utmost importance.”
— Andrew Bear (@1andrewbear) April 24, 2022
Another user quoted: “Thich Nhat Hanh: ‘Burning themselves aimed only at alarming, at moving the hearts of the oppressors, and at calling the attention of the world to the suffering endured then by the Vietnamese. To burn oneself by fire is to prove that what one is saying is of the utmost importance.’”
This is so sad. Wynn Bruce was a part of the online sangha that I frequent. I only know his spirit and it was full of Metta. Wynn Bruce, Wynn Bruce, Wynn Bruce. Thank you for caring so much and for gracing the world with your presence.
— Bob Van Hook (@BobVanHook) April 23, 2022
Another commented, “This is so sad. Wynn Bruce was a part of the online sangha that I frequent. I only know his spirit and it was full of Metta. Wynn Bruce, Wynn Bruce, Wynn Bruce. Thank you for caring so much and for gracing the world with your presence.”
