Farmer's Protest At Queens Park

[Dan #3]

Did anyone see the farmer protesting at Queen's Park? He was about to set himself on fire and apparently was shot in the head or something. I did not see this with my 2 eyes, but my rommie did. I'd just like to get everyone's opinion on this.

[Sparq]

Man Sets Himself on Fire During Toronto Protest

 

 

Wed March 9, 2005 5:20 PM GMT-05:00

TORONTO (Reuters) - A man doused himself with gasoline and set himself alight during a stand-off with police on Wednesday during a protest by several hundred farmers in front of the Ontario provincial Legislature in Toronto.

 

The man drove a white rental van into the demonstration area and then held off police by telling them he had doused himself with gasoline. The incident was carried live by Canadian television crews monitoring the farmers' protest.

 

Police cruisers hemmed in the man's rental van, which was reported to be carrying gasoline cans, and then rammed the van to stop him moving it. Fire crews rushed quickly to the passenger cabin when flames erupted after the collision.

 

"I've seen people on fire on TV before, but in real life it hits you a lot harder," said eyewitness Michael Snary.

 

"He was sitting in his van, soaked with gasoline for about 20 to 25 minutes. The police cordoned off the area and were trying to talk to him. He threw an envelope out the window."

 

Police declined comment on the incident other than to say the man had earlier been distributing pamphlets.

 

Ontario farmers, rural landowners and developers had gathered outside the Legislature to protest against the provincial government's rural policies.

 

"It's unfortunate that this took away from [the farmers]," said a police officer at the rally.

 

"It had nothing to do with us," said one tobacco farmer. "We're farmers. We're peaceful."

 

The fire was extinguished quickly and the man pulled from the vehicle and taken to hospital. Neither his name nor the extent of his injuries had yet been released.

 

Source

[Biggie]

Nobody was shot. I guess my opinion is that you shouldn't play with matches.

Edited March 12, 2005 by Biggie

[therethere]

My friend was walking back to the university from the subway and as she arrived, she said that she had seen the guy from far away, on fire. She didn't feel like talking about it much afterwards.

[Ruthless]

..how could you do that to yourself?

 

I couldnt.

[Seanathon]

They showed some if it on tv surprisingly. Tres bizarre.

[calumania]

Why didn't I hear about this?

Weird.

[killerofthebass]

They managed to get the whole thing on the news too. It was pretty disturbing.

[pearanoid]

Yeah, that was on of those things I watched on the news that I wish I hadn't. I sort of think that they shouldn't be allowed to show something that graphic because it shouldn't be glorified, but on the other hand, I watched and it disturbed me and maybe it's good for people to actually see how horrible something like that it. That way people can keep a more realitic perspective, rather than picturing everything like it happens in a movie.

[Dan #3]

I can't believe I made a thread this lame.

[Hyphnip]

yeah, you feeling alright Dan?

[ecnarf]

Good on you for remindin all of us.

[bishopx]

People who kill themselves or hurt themselves for their cause do everyone including themselves a serious dis-service. They seriously detract from the cause, and effect the level of appreciation for their stand.

[shade]

People who kill themselves or hurt themselves for their cause do everyone including themselves a serious dis-service.

Are you chirpin' on jesus?

[bishopx]

Totally different situation, that goes without saying.

[Dan #3]

If Jesus was alive when my grandfather was, my grandfather would've told him to get a job.

[ecnarf]

Why is it that the Jews get all the blame for killing Jesus and the Romans get none of the credit?

[Dan #3]

Because Jews are like the little kid on the playground that everybody beats on and the Italians are the little kid that steals everybosy's lunch money.

[Shiri]

Haha, so true.

[Azalroth]

wow best analogy ever

[Dan #3]

I made a typo in the second "everybody." ;)

[ecnarf]

I made a typo in the second "everybody." ;)

Ha! Your point is discredited.

[Dan #3]

Yeah, I know.