The World - News from March 27, 1988

Riot police backed by water cannon beat and arrested hundreds of Roman Catholics in western Czechoslovakia who staged a rare demonstration for religious freedom, Western reporters said. About 2,000 people in the Slovak capital of Bratislava gathered Friday night in front of the National Theater for a candlelight rally banned by Communist authorities. Witnesses said authorities broke up the demonstration by pushing protesters into side streets. Many were beaten by police, including some journalists, reporters who had covered the event said in Vienna. There is growing discontent among Catholics at the authorities’ refusal to agree to Vatican candidates to fill 10 vacant bishoprics.