the condition reads:

Once per turn as a free action, you may choose to remove from the game a bystander token adjacent to a friendly character. No victory points are scored for the removed bystander token.

how exactly does this work...

so if your opponent has a bystander next to his friendly fig can you remove the bystander on your turn?

or can you move up to a bystander on an opposing team and remove it on your turn?

I don't know about the feat but Joe Q is NOT innocent of anything and don' deserve be protected.

You can remove one bystander adjacent to one of your figures during your turn by taking a free action. So no on the first scenario, yes on the second. It can also be used to take your own bystanders out of play.

If a bystander token is adjacent to a friendly character, you can get rid of it.

So, if your opponent is using Lian Harper as a meat shield, you can have Wolverine use Protect The Innocent as a free action to get rid of the girl, then Charge whomever was hiding behind her. You could even use it on one of your own bystanders, if you wanted (maybe they are blocking a critical LOF and you don't want to risk rolling breakaway).

thanks queb!