A Twin Cities man who staged a fiery protest outside General Mills headquarters in Golden Valley last week died several days later of a heart attack while running an errand, his family and their minister said Wednesday.
Michael L. Leisner, 65, of Andover, gained national television attention for setting a box of Cheerios on fire outside the cereal maker's corporate offices on Aug. 5 in a one-person protest of the company's support for same-sex marriage.
Leisner posted video of his act online, with it showing him scrambling to stomp out the flames before he hurriedly instructs his off-camera friends to get in the car. The video made its way onto cable television's "The Daily Show" and "Chelsea Lately."
Leisner died Saturday while waiting in his car for his sons to finish playing tennis, said Dwight Denyes, senior pastor at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park.
While he didn't know Leisner well, Denyes said that what the nation saw in the video "doesn't accurately reflect who he was as an individual. He was a very loving and caring father of his four children, a loving husband and he seemed to get along with other people."
In a statement, the family said that the two sons found Leisner in his car and not breathing. Resuscitation efforts were started, and Leisner was taken Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and died at night "of a massive heart attack," the statement continued. http://www.startribune.com/local/166257476.html?refer=y
Comments
In my defense, I don't speak American very well.
Godfather.
read the comments posted below the video. if folks are correct it seems he has died. what a dickhead
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
This thread is done.