Legal pressure is stopping screenings of the film 'Injustice' ( a film on deaths at the hands of the police) without the film being officially banned. The treatment of the film is similar to the way the families of those killed by police are gagged.

After the events of Conway Hall, where the audience took over the projector and thus ensured the screening took place, the next major test of how the police would react was in Manchester, where 'Injustice' was to be screened in the Cornerhouse arts centre as part of a festival of international human rights films.

'Injustice' was due to be screened at 6.05pm. Like the other venues where the film was meant to be shown, Cornerhouse was threatened with legal action by Russel, Jones and Walker, solicitors for the police. At 4.30pm, Cornerhouse pulled the film.

Clearly the people in Manchester could watch films about abuses of human rights in Afghanistan and other places around the world, but not Britain. An alternative venue, at a squatted cafe around the corner, had been offered. Around 150 people squeezed into this cafe and watched the film. A few days earlier, Cornerhouse had screened 'Injustice' to the press, and the police solicitors had written to the makers of 'Injustice', demanding names of people who came to this showing.

The tactics of the police are simple. By going for cinemas and halls they are in effect creating a climate in which these places are forced to take a commercial decision on what in essence is a social issue. The venues are forced into a situation that amounts to self-censorship. However, in order for the police to take the venues to court they have to actively disprove the very allegations they are trying to suppress. After all, they have spent all their energies trying to ensure they do not end up in court for the deaths of people in custody.

Some of the police officers named in the film, along with legal representatives, have now seen 'Injustice'. Ken Fero and myself, the co-directors, have thrown the gauntlet to the solicitors representing the police officers - stop what amounts to a campaign of legal terrorism against venues and instead, if they are so convinced, sue us or take any other legal action they deem fit. We will fight them all the way.

'Injustice' continues to be screened. Visit  http://www.injusticefilm.co.uk for news of screenings as they are confirmed. Contact  info@injusticefilm.co.uk