WASHINGTON, DC—Supreme President Carl R. Hollister has issued the following statement:
"The Order of AHEPA strongly condemns the violent attack (video clips) committed upon Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris by extremists at an event in remembrance of the victims of the Genocide of Pontian Greeks. This assault, which left the mayor hospitalized with head, neck, and leg injuries, is an outrage and unacceptable.
"The perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice swiftly. The people of Thessaloniki must come together to condemn this senseless, cowardly act of violence.
"The Order of AHEPA wishes Mayor Boutaris a speedy recovery."
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Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.
For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.