Man Who Slashed Wrists on "Today Show" Plaza Was Protesting the IRS

We're confused.

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Yesterday morning, folks around the Today Show plaza (including the anchors) received quite a scare when a man inexplicably sliced both of his wrists before being tackled by NBC security. While recovering at Bellevue Hospital, 76-year-old Pak Chong Mar said his actions were a protest of the IRS. The Queens resident claims that millions of dollars were taken from him. “I had to do something desperate to fight the corruption, fight the IRS,” he explained.

The NYPD says that Pak was screaming about the IRS and "peppermint tea" before exposing the blade and slashing his wrists. He was taken down by security almost instantly. The New York Post reports that this is not the first time he's pulled a public stunt of graphic nature. Back in 1995, he cut three of his fingers off and threw them into the crowd during the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

We aren't certain what he was hoping to accomplish, but one thing's for sure: hurting yourself won't hurt Uncle Sam.

[via Gothamist, New York Daily News and New York Post

RELATED: Man With Knife Stabs Himself Outside "Today Show" Plaza 

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