FBI Agents Stage Protest March

Dec. 15 -- Hundreds of FBI agents are marching in front of the White House today to protest against the possibility of President Clinton granting clemency to Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two federal agents.

Carrying a “Never Forget” banner lettered in red, a line ofagents stood two-by-two and marched to the White House gate with apetition signed by 8,000 current and formeragents.

Secret Service agents at the White House gate rejected theenvelope initially, telling their fellow federal officers that nopackages or documents could be accepted for security reasons. Later a White House staff member came out and received the petitions.

Susan Lloyd, an FBI field office spokeswoman who joined theprotesters, said the vast majority of those in the demonstrationwere active agents who applied for the day off.

“None of this is on government time,” she said. The officerswere escorted by about 30 District of Columbia police onmotorcycles.

Agents said they knew of no similar public display by activeagents in the past.

Clinton Considering Pardon

Clinton drew the ire of FBI agents last month when it appeared he may join the group of Peltier supporters. During a “Get-Out-The-Vote” phone call with New York radio station WBAI, he told listeners he would review Peltier’s request for a pardon.

Peltier, former leader of the American Indian Movement, has been serving a life sentence since his murder conviction for the slayings of two FBI agents at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. Peltier has maintained his innocence and argued that he was framed and did not receive a fair trial.

“I know it’s important to a lot of people, maybe both sides of this issue. And I think I owe it to them to give it an honest look-see,” Clinton said. “I will see what the merits dictate, based on the evidence.”

Since his conviction, a huge contingency of world leaders, lawmakers, and entertainers have supported Peltier in his quest for clemency. They include: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Amnesty International, Robert Redford, Willie Nelson and Winona Ryder.