Greek police demonstrate against violence

From the European Edition of the International Herald Tribune

...Some protesters were in uniform as they gathered in the city's main Syntagma Square. Last months' riots were sparked by the fatal police shooting Dec. 6 of a teenage boy. Police were targeted in shootings Dec. 23 and Jan. 5; one officer was seriously wounded. The far-left group Revolutionary Struggle has claimed responsibility. "Our colleagues are not afraid," said Giorgos Vlachos of the Greek police officers association. "Of course we remain on guard — that is our duty. "Vlachos said police are hoping to improve their image. The Beatles' song "Let it be" blared as police gathered under a banner that read "no to violence." "We are protesting because we are part of society," said Vassilis Alimaras, a 23-year-old policeman. "Violence against the Greek police is violence against Greek society. We're against any kind of violence." In a 9,000-word statement published in an Athens newspaper Thursday, Revolutionary Struggle vowed to continue attacks on police. "The only way to disarm the cops is for revolutionaries and the armed public to disarm them," the group said.