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 For Immediate Release
Aug 16, 2000 Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172


MEISSNER INS AWARDS TO AGENTS WHO GASSED AND BEAT RESIDENTS OF LITTLE HAVANA A NATIONAL DISGRACE

True Justice Will Be Attained For This Outrage In Judicial Watch's Lawsuit On Behalf of Little Havana Residents Against INS Commissioner Doris Meissner, Attorney General Janet Reno, and Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder

The Public Interest Group Has Also Filed Criminal Complaints Against Meissner For Witness Tampering

(Washington, D.C.) True to form, INS Commissioner Doris Meissner went ahead with her awards ceremony for the INS agents who she, Attorney General Janet Reno, and Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder ordered to use excessive force in seizing little Elian Gonzalez in a pre-dawn Easter raid on April 22, 2000. Published reports have indicated that Ms. Meissner not only awarded the INS agents with plaques, but also paid leave and other perks. The INS agents beat and gassed innocent bystanders who were simply praying on their front lawns during the raid. They are not worthy of awards, but rather, stiff punishment for carrying out the orders of Ms. Meissner, Ms. Reno, and Mr. Holder in Nazi-like obedience. However, what is also illegally egregious is that Ms. Meissner, by providing additional benefits to the INS agents who will be material witnesses in the $100-million civil complaint filed against her, Ms. Reno and Mr. Holder, is tampering with court testimony. This constitutes a violation of 18 USC Section 1512. As a result, Judicial Watch has filed criminal complaints against Ms. Meissner for obstruction of justice.

"With the precedent set during the last eight years of the Clinton-Gore Administration, Ms. Meissner, on behalf of Ms. Reno and Mr. Holder, obviously believe they can get away with anything in dealing with Judicial Watch and the courts. They are sadly mistaken," stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

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