The World : Czechs Rally for 4th Day
About 5,000 Czechoslovaks filled Prague’s Wenceslas Square for the fourth straight day, chanting “Freedom!” “Truth!” and “Human rights!” But police did not disperse the crowd as they had in the previous three days. The demonstrators chanted the names of dissident playwright Vaclav Havel and others jailed for taking part in demonstrations that began Sunday in memory of Jan Palach. The 20-year-old Palach burned himself alive Jan. 16, 1969, to protest the Soviet-led invasion of the previous August that ended the “Prague Spring” reforms of Alexander Dubcek. Police used water cannon, tear gas, dogs and truncheons on crowds in the first three days, drawing criticism from the West.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
