U.S. Woman Sets Herself Alight

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31502, 17 October 1967, Page 17

U.S. Woman Sets Herself Alight

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LOS ANGELES, October 16. A woman whose car was full of anti-war literature burned herself to death in Los Angeles yesterday on the eve of planned national demonstrations this week against the Vietnam war and national service.

The woman, identified as Florence Beaumont, of suburban Baldwin Park, doused her clothing with petrol and set fire to herself in front of the Federal building. Police said they were unable to determine immediately if the woman’s act was meant as an anti-war protest. Her car contained numerous pamphlets and literature opposing United States involvement in Vietnam.

“She was a walking torch. The flames were all over her,” said a witness, who said that when he approached the flaming figure, “she stretched out her hands and moaned at me.”

The week of anti-war protests begins today and a group called "The Resistance” said demonstrations would be held in at least 30 United States cities.

“The Resistance,” composed mostly of young people against the draft and war, said more than 2000 men were expected to burn or turn in their draft cards during “Stop the Draft Week.” The woman’s husband described his wife as “a dedicated person working for peace.” George Beaumont said his wife intended her fiery suicide to be a protest against United States participation in the war. , “She couldn’t stand to live any longer under this thing,” he said. "She felt this had to be done, it had to be done.” Police said the mother of two soaked her clothing with petrol from a two-gallon container found near her body, then set herself alight with a match.

Mr Beaumont said he knew nothing of his wife’s plan,

but added that she had apparently told a woman friend last week of her intentions. “I did not think she would go this far,” he said. Mrs Beaumont’s self-immo-lation was similar to ones performed by Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns protesting against the war.