NEW YORK CITY, USA – APRIL 19, 2024 Max Azzarello, a 37-year-old man from Florida, shocked the public on April 19, 2024, when he set himself on fire in a park across from a New York City courthouse. The act coincided with the trial of Donald Trump and was described as an extreme form of protest aimed at drawing attention to what Azzarello called an “apocalyptic fascist coup.” Through this act, he sought to alert society to alleged threats posed by governments and elites, which he had long claimed were orchestrating global conspiracies.
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Before the incident, Azzarello distributed flyers containing a QR code leading to an online manifesto. In it, he elaborated on his views of a corrupt global order. Witnesses described the act as sudden and shocking. Onlookers and police tried to extinguish the flames, but his injuries were so severe that he succumbed to them shortly after being transported to the hospital.
The event took place near the courthouse where Trump’s trial was being held. Although Azzarello appeared to have no specific grievances related to the trial itself, he chose the location for its symbolic significance. His actions left behind unanswered questions about his motivations and raised discussions about extremism, mental health, and the nature of protest in contemporary society.
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