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Palach, Jan (1948-1969)

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jan 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1948

text of obituary:

40,000 Czechs File Past 'Martyr's' Coffin

Although Russian tanks are seen no longer in the streets of Czechoslovakia's capital, the suicidal death of one 21-year-old philosophy student caused such widespread attention that a recurrence of Russian intervention was feared b y many residents.

Jan Palach died after setting fire to his gasoline-covered body in protest to the loss of national freedoms. As his immolation was regarded by the population as an act of patriotism, more than 40,000 persons last week paid their respects as the body lay in state on the campus of Charles University in the heart of Prague.

Both the filing past the coffin and the funeral procession the next day were marked by quiet dignity. But on Sunday, Jan. 26, 200 policemen were deployed to prevent young workers and students from decorating a national shrine with a Czechoslovak flag and Palach's portrait. The police used a mild form of tear gas when the demonstrators shouted "Russian stooges" and "Gestapo."

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