Deaths

Activist Lawyer Sets Himself On Fire In Environmental Protest

Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of this activist lawyer.

By  
on

Lawyer David Buckel, 60, died Saturday in an act of self-immolation as part of a protest about the use of fossil fuels.

Buckel’s body was found by the baseball fields in Prospect Park. A passerby reported a badly burnt body just after 6:30 a.m. As reported by The Daily News, a hand-written suicide note was found with Buckel’s body:

“I am David Buckel and I just killed myself by fire as a protest suicide,” read a hand-written suicide note left near the blackened circle of burned grass. “I apologize to you for the mess.”

There was also an additional note found with Buckel that was marked “For the police” and provided more explanation for his actions:

“My early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves,” he wrote. “A lifetime of service may best be preserved by giving a life . . . Honorable purpose in life invites honorable purchase in death.

“I hope it is an honorable death that might serve others.”

Buckel was an environmental activist, but was best known for his legal work in support of LGBTQ rights. He was the marriage project director for Lambda Legal, and worked on the legal fight for marriage equality in Iowa and New Jersey (Varnum v. Brien and Lewis v. Harris, respectively). He also filed a suit on behalf of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was murdered in 1993 in Nebraska. Teena’s story was immortalized in the Academy Award winning movie “Boys Don’t Cry.”

In a statement, Camilla Taylor, Lambda Legal’s acting legal director, expressed what the loss of Buckel means for the organization:

Sponsored

“This is a tremendous loss for our Lambda Legal family, but also for the entire movement for social justice… David was an indefatigable attorney and advocate, and also a dedicated and loving friend to so many. He will be remembered for his kindness, devotion and vision for justice.”

Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Buckel.

If you or someone you know is depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or a lawyer assistance program in your state.

headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

Sponsored

Topics

, , ,