A panel of experts from around the country will discuss on campus tonight the legality of how the U.S. government has handled the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The panel discussion, “The War on Terrorism: Legality of the American Response at Home and Abroad,” will look into the lawfulness of the government’s response to the attacks from a variety of perspectives.

Assistant state Attorney General Michael McDaniel and a panel of several speakers, including representatives from the FBI, the American Muslim Council, the Detroit Council for World Affairs, Wayne State University and the University of Denver College of Law, will interact with audience members during the discussion.

Jami Witbeck, managing editor of the MSU-Detroit College of Law Journal of International Law, said she knew there was a need for the discussion when she found out some Muslims were being treated poorly after the attacks.

She said she’d heard personal stories of restricted civil liberties and discrimination.

“People probably know of friends and different people who have been affected by our response, and they’ll be inquiring and commenting on it,” she said. “I anticipate a very diverse audience with lots of questions and comments, as well.”

Witbeck said the discussion will be taped and published in the journal for further consideration from readers.

Panel member Frederic Pearson, director for the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University, said he thinks the United States needs to adjust the way it is handling its reaction.

“It’s important these days to get people thinking about the long-term future,” he said.

“In the past, the most successful ways of dealing with violence has been through diplomacy - instead of militarily.”

Although he said many people are questioning the government’s ethics, he said he thinks it will continue fighting.

“The defense budget is set for a major increase, which I think is economically risky and militarily foolish in some respects,” he said.