A Tibetan man set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening, protesting China’s occupation of his homeland.
The horrific self-immolation protest was captured on livestreamed footage — since March 2009, more than 160 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to advocate for Tibetan freedom, and call for the return of the Dalai Lama, with the vast majority taking place in Tibet.
Warning: Disturbing Content
Nobody is telling you the actual reason a man just set himself on fire outside the UN.
Everyone’s calling it “madness.” “Psycho.” “Stop doing this.”
Nobody is reading the note he left behind.
“China Out of Tibet.”
He was 52. Lived in the US for 20 years. Drove for Uber.
— Whale Scan (@WhaleScan) July 3, 2026
More from the New York Post:
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.
He scattered pieces of paper as he burned to death.
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.
The flames were doused by first responders with fire extinguishers, but Rangzen, 42, was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital, according to police. The message on the papers he scattered included, “CHINA OUT OF TIBET.”
Before setting himself on fire, Rangzen livestreamed an appeal for Tibetan independence and unity.
An X account titled “Tibet People,” described as ex-Tibetans who support Tibetan National Resistance, shared the video while calling on the world to act.
“Over 160 Tibetans self-immolated in occupied #Tibet, crying out against #China’s repression, cultural genocide & Ethnic Unity Law. Today Self Immolation reached in front of #UnitedNations, their sacrifice exposes decades of suffering. Our non-violent struggle will NEVER end until freedom is won! The world must act,” the caption read.
Over 160 Tibetans self-immolated in occupied #Tibet, crying out against #China’s repression, cultural genocide & Ethnic Unity Law.
Today Self Immolation reached in front of #UnitedNations, their sacrifice exposes decades of suffering. Our non-violent struggle will NEVER end until… pic.twitter.com/bUOzhRCVpQ— Tibet People
(@TibetPeople) July 3, 2026
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