Candle demonstration in Bratislava

The demonstration was organized by Roman Catholic dissent groups asking for religious freedom in Czechoslovakia.

The demonstration was planned by Marián Šťastný, executive vice-president of the Slovak World Congress and his associate Paul Arnold of Switzerland.

They were in touch with the Čarnogurský family of Bratislava and passed on the plans for the demonstration via Šťastný's mother-in-law, who was on a visit to Switzerland.

Catholic activist František Mikloško initiated a request for a permit to demonstrate, but his proposal was rejected by the authorities.

25 March has become Struggle for Human Rights Day in Slovakia, commemorating the candle demonstration.