Greek Police Kills 16 Years Old Boy

On Saturday 6th of December at around 10pm, police drove into Exarhia, a town square where people gather in Athens, Greece. After a verbal argument with a group of teenagers, the police car left, the policemen parked the car and then returned on foot.
The two policemen threw a flash-bang grenade at those present in the square, and then one of the policemen pulled out his gun and shot, in cold blood, a 16-year old boy. The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to eye-witnesses, the policeman had been swearing at the young man before shooting him. The two policemen have been detained, accused of murder (which they are denying), and two Greek Government ministers have offered to resign over the death, which were not accepted by Greek prime minister.

In a spontaneous response, thousands of people gathered in city centers all over Greece. Rallies, demonstrations, direct actions and riots are taking place all around the country in anger at the death of a child and in protest against state brutality. Protests have also taken place in Germany, and the UK.

This is the latest victim in a long list of state-murders, including the 1985 killing of 15 year-old Michalis Kaltezas by Greek police.

We Can't Ignore State Violence!

Today (9/12) was the funeral of young Alexis and the fourth day that the episodes hold on in every part of Greece. Thousands of people from all around the country demonstrate against the brutality and overuse of authority that men of state show. We condemn the way Greek and international media have covered the events giving emphasis on the riots and not the results of state oppressiveness and violence. That was one of the reasons we decided yesterday to go to Greek consul and demand from the consulate to make a statement officially denouncing the murder of Alexis. Today, Greek policemen used again their guns during the demonstration after Alexis' funeral in an attempt, as they said, just to scare people. It was only luck that there weren't more victims. Photos of armed policemen provoking people showing their guns travelled all over the world. Many people were arrested. Among them there were young children aged from 14-16. Citizens got into the way demanding to let the children free. This is a shame for a country which wants to be called democratic!

THEY SPEAK ABOUT MATERIAL LOSES
WE SPEAK ABOUT HUMAN LIVES

On Wednesday 10/12/08 we will meet outside Teviot building in Bristo Square at 15.00, in order to protest against Alexis Grigoropoulos murder


If you can't join a protest, you can email your disgust to:
pressoffice@greekembassy.org.uk (London Greek Embassy) and
melpo@blueyonder.co.uk-(Edinburgh Greek Consulate)
More info at
http://alexisedinburgh2008.blogspot.com
www.indymedia.org.uk