Chicago police to mark 1968 'riots'

CHICAGO, June 17 (UPI) -- Police in Chicago are planning a "Chicago Riot Cops Reunion" June 26 to set the record straight about what happened during the 1968 Democratic Convention.

Members of the Fraternal Order of Police says Chicago's finest continue to endure criticism for their handling of anti-war demonstrations that took place in Grant and Lincoln parks 41 years ago, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

"The only thing that stood between Marxist street thugs and public order was a thin blue line of dedicated, tough Chicago police officers," the union's Web site says.

The union says the unending criticism of police officers who participated in the riots "is unwarranted, inaccurate and wrong."

Former Chicago Police Supt. Philip Cline is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the June 26th event which will take place at the union hall.

"It's just a get-together for guys who worked together 40 years ago," says Mark Donahue, president of the FOP.