The shock at the arrests of twelve 'Pakistani students' in high profile police 'terror' raids in Cheetham Hill has led to anger, and now a determination to see justice.

Despite no evidence being found and no charges brought, the students are now in Strangeways prison facing deportation to Pakistan on grounds of 'national security'. They have been assumed to be 'guilty' in spite of being not charged..

In London Ian Tomlinson died after being beaten by police at the G20 protests where protesters were brutally attacked. Evidence is now widespread that he Police are becoming more political, and more ready to use violence against peaceful protesters.

In response Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition hosted a Public Hearing at the Town Hall to hear evidence, discuss the effects, and strengthen our campaigns to defend civil liberties and the halt the rise of Islamophobia. Sixty people attended, including all the local Councillors from Cheetham and Longsight Wards, many from the legal professions, Muslim representatives, trades unionists and ant-war campaigners, all gave evidence and discussed the events.

Cheetham Cllr Afsal Khan described how the arrests in Cheetham Hill were carried out by armed police in a 'military style' while 'children played in the street'. He explained how "the War on Terror is being use to undermine our civil liberties. It is terrorising the whole world. Britain, Afghanistan, Pakistan - all are feeling the effect'.

Solicitor Robert Lizar, whose practice represents one of the students described the frightening and humiliating experience of being arrested. "People in the community now realise that these terrifying experiences could happen to any one."

Student activist Robbie Skillet, reported from the Climate Change Camp protests in the City of London where the police "aggressively, almost gratuitously, used violence against peaceful protesters holding their hands in the air chanting, This is not a riot! This is not a riot!'.

With Lord Carlise now conducting a 'review' of the arrests of the Pakistani students we will present our findings from the Public Hearing to his legal team. With whole way in which demonstrators are policed now up for review by the Police and those bodies like the London Assembly we will continue with our demand that our right to protest is maintained.

We will help build the fight for justice for the Pakistani students now facing deportation.

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