[no2id-supporters] NO2ID NEWSLETTER No.16

Fri Mar 4 07:11:09 GMT 2005

NO2ID NEWSLETTER - Supporter's Newsletter No.16 - 3rd March 2005
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+++ Stop ID-cards and the database state

This is the latest email newsletter to keep you informed about the
campaign against the Home Office's plans to fingerprint and track the
entire population of Britain for its National Identity Register. As soon
as practicable the NO2ID Newsletter will also be produced in printed
form to let us reach people without email. Meanwhile, if you want to
forward this email to friends or print and distribute hard copies, then
we have no objections.

You've been sent this (if you are a first hand recipient) because we
believe you registered as a supporter of the campaign. If not, or if you
just don't want the newsletter, let us know and please accept our
apologies. We don't want to spam anyone.

(Equally, if you were a supporter in the past, but have now decided that
you do want yourself and your family to be tagged like cattle at huge
and unnecessary expense, please do let us know.)

++ SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS ID CARD BILL

Last Thursday (February 24) the Scottish Parliament sent a clear message 
to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke and the Labour government, when 
they passed a motion that called the proposed Identity Card "an 
unacceptable threat to civil liberties". Outside the Holyrood building 
protestors tore up fake ID cards.

MSPs voted in favour of the motion by 52 votes to 47 with 15 
abstentions. (The Liberal Democrats abstained, choosing instead to vote 
for a stronger version.)  The motion, proposed my Green MSP Patrick 
Harvie, drew attention to the lack of scrutiny that the bill was given 
as it passed through the House of Commons, as well as its costs both 
financial and to civil liberties.

The Scottish Executive stated last year that ID cards would not be 
required to access public services north of the border. This position 
was welcomed in the motion. The Scottish Parliament cannot completely 
stop ID cards for Scotland, as some of the declared purposes are powers 
reserved by Westminster.

Speaking in the debate, Carolyn Leckie MSP said: "When I watched 
'Minority Report', like many others, I thought that I was watching a 
sci-fi fantasy set in a totalitarian state. I thought that it could not 
possibly transfer to my reality, but how wrong I was. Let us be clear 
that this is about the power of the state and about control over 
individuals."

Mark Ballard MSP, referring to a computer error that had occurred at 
Holyrood said: "In this chamber yesterday, the identities of two of our 
members-Robin Harper and Annabel Goldie-were confused by the database of 
129 people. Even if it is 99.3 per cent accurate-a figure that Carolyn 
Leckie mentioned-a biometric database of 60 million people will confuse 
hundreds of thousands of identities."

There is still work to do in winning the principled argument - the 
Conservatives voted in support of the motion but stated that they are in 
favour of ID cards in principle.

NO2ID worked hard behind the scenes lobbying MSPs and our influence in 
the debate was clear, with much of the arguments put by Green Party 
members coming from our website.

Our thanks go out to NO2ID supporters Geraint Bevan and James Hammerton, 
who came across from Glasgow early and gave their entire day to the 
Holyrood lobbying. And to Adrian Barber who also made an early start and 
helped with leafleting before having to go on to work.

Transcript of the debate:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-05/sor0224-02.htm#C
ol14711
Watch the debate:
http://vr-sp-archive.lbwa.verio.net/archive/plenaryampartone_240205.wmv 
(starts at 01:18:40)
http://vr-sp-archive.lbwa.verio.net/archive/plenary_morning_part_2_240205.wmv

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++ What Just Happened?
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+ MORE NEW LOCAL GROUPS

We have new groups in Bayswater, Ealing, Tonbridge, Milton Keynes and 
Luton. Please get in touch with your local group if ther is one. If 
you'd like to start your own and become a local contact for your town, 
you should be a member and be prepared to be contacted by supporters and 
local journalists.

For a list of local groups and contacts see http://www.no2id.net/localGroups
For our Campaigners Guide explaining how *you* can make a difference 
locally, see
http://www.no2id.net/downloads/index.php

+ CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL AFFILIATES TO NO2ID

Cambridge became the latest council to state their objection to the 
government's proposed identity card scheme and affiliate to NO2ID last 
Thursday (February 24). The council passed a motion that laid out its 
concerns about the government's bill and stated its plans to oppose it 
wherever possible.

Council leader Ian Nimmo-Smith said: "We will not cooperate with any 
Government-run pilot schemes and we will do everything short of being 
illegal in terms of opposing a national ID card."

The motion follows similar ones passed by Norwich, York, Oxford, 
Liverpool and Brighton Councils.

**STOP PRESS** Sefton Metropolitan Bororough Council on Merseyside has 
just passed a motion rejecting ID cards.

+ 53rd ANNIVERSARY OF ABOLITION OF ID CARDS IN THE UK

NO2ID held an hour-long vigil beneath the statue of Winston Churchill in 
Parliament Square on Monday, February 21.

In funereal black, NO2ID and Liberty mourned the short memory and lack 
of sense that leads this government to try and reintroduce ID cards and 
create the National Identity Register, 53 years after Churchill scrapped 
the wartime ID card system.

Proceedings were watched with interest by the real authorities, 
including Charing Cross constabulary--and the all-seeing eyes of our 
database state were represented by costumed suppporters as giant,
unblinking eyes. The group was moved on after an hour and a half, with
police claiming the polystyrene breastplates of the costumes, not unlike 
police body armour, looked like explosives.

Phil Booth, national coordinator for NO2ID, said: "Churchill must turn 
in his grave to see this after all he had done. If he were here now, he 
would urge politicians of all parties who truly support freedom to join 
NO2ID and campaign against them as he did in 1951, under the banner: 
'Set the people free!'"

+ NO2ID CAMPAIGNS IN HOME SECRETRARY'S CONSTITUENCY

The NO2ID Voter Education Tour began on Saturday 19 February in the 
streets of Norwich, delivering thousands of leaflets to voters in the 
city centre and in Charles Clarke's Norwich South constituency.

We were assisted by local Greens, and a representative of UKIP, and 
NO2ID supporters from as far as Cambridge.  Cllr Steve Radford, 
president of the Liberal Party, made the trip from Liverpool in order to 
help.  Local Green and Liberal Democrat organisations will be 
distributing the remaining stock of leaflets over coming weeks.

Thanks to everyone who braved the untypical blizzard conditions in 
Norwich market square... and to Mr Clarke - we'll be back!

+ FRENCH GOVERNMENT MOVES TOWARDS COMPULSORY ID

The French government is trying to impose an electronic ID card on 
French citizens, using the justification that other countries are. In 
particular they incorrectly cite the 'law of the 20th December 2004' 
introducing compulsory ID cards in Britain.

For a rough and ready google translation see http://tinyurl.co.uk/20dm

+ ID BILL - LOBBYING LORDS

There is resistence to the Identity Cards Bill in all parts of the House 
of Lords.  NO2ID continues to lobby peers.  We have mailed a briefing 
paper to every voting member of the House, and will be holding an 
all-party meeting in the next two weeks.  We expect the Lords to conduct 
a rational unhurried debate on this dificult topic, and to resist the 
Government's hustle.

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++ What's Next?
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+ 10 MARCH - NO2ID BRIGHTON & HOVE DAY OF ACTION

NO2ID Brighton and Hove are having a joint "day of action" with Brighton 
Defy ID on Thursday March 10th.  Brighton and Hove City Council is 
debating a motion against ID cards and NO2ID will be staging a 
demonstration/photo opportunity outside the town hall.
Place: Brighton Town Hall, Bartholomew's Square, Brighton
Time: 4:00pm, 10th March 2005

More details are available from brighton at no2id.net

+ 11 & 12 MARCH - CAMPACC NATIONAL LOBBY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL 
LIBERTIES

The Campaign Against Criminalising Communities, a NO2ID supporter, is 
organising a national lobbying campaign, March 11 & 12, to make MPs 
aware of concerns, which include the proposed introduction of identity 
cards. They aim to put together a comprehensive list of MPs' positions 
in the run up to the general election.

See http://www.cacc.org.uk/lobby.htm

+ Coming soon - COMEDY EVENT

Well-known stand-up and NO2ID volunteer Ben Norris is rallying his 
friends on the London comedy circuit, and we hope to arrange one or more 
benefit events shortly.

+ Coming soon - THE GENERAL ELECTION - Call For Volunteers

We intend to make Identity Control an election issue, even if the main 
parties would prefer the public to lose interest.  Would you be willing 
to canvas locally, or come on day trips like the one we recently made to 
Norwich (but warmer, we promise)?  Could you give a bit of time to 
phoning voters in crucial wards?  Are you a member of an orgainsation 
that could hold a hustings in the constituency, and put identity on the 
agenda?

If so--or if you have a better idea--contact the office on 
volunteer at no2id.net and let us know.

+ CALLING ALL DESIGNERS

Local group events, and more general advertising of NO2ID, need visual 
material to attract public attention, and to communicate the abstract 
dangers of the database state.  We need great design ideas (and great 
executions) for posters, pamphlets, ads and leaflets that can be spread 
around the country.  We'd like the designers and communicators among our 
supporters to put their heads together.  If you have communications 
skills, get in touch, and we will put you together with some like minds.
(volunteer at no2id.net)

+ E-PETITION STILL OPEN

The petition continues to help us reach more supporters and let more
people express their views on ID cards. If you would like to collect
paper signatures in your area, please let Guy
Taylor(local.groups at no2id.net) know.

Please continue to encourage people to sign the petition at
www.no2id-petition.net

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++ "ID" In the News

---------------------

"Mind reader" - The Engineer
Angela Sasse, Professor of Human-Centred Technology at University 
College London, questions the
expected performance of ID cards and biometric passports in light of the 
"reality of human
behaviour".
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/266253/Mind+reader.htm

City Council says no to ID cards
Cambridge City Council has passed a motion opposing the government's 
plans for a national identity database.
http://www.cambridgelibdems.org.uk/news/63.html

US bank 'loses' customer details - BBC
A report on the loss of computer tapes containing account details at the 
Bank of America does not bode well for large centralised databases of 
identities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4300371.stm

Why the Queen Should Chop Off Tony Blair's Head for Treason - Al Jazeerah
"what we are really looking at is a compulsory registration exercise, 
the output being various unchanging identifications and a registration 
number for life"
http://tinyurl.com/6p7uf

Visa decision 'every 11 minutes'
A Public Accounts Committee report that raises interesting issues with 
regards to ID card enrolment.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4309401.stm

Clarke opens door to easing border controls - Daily Telegraph
Mr Clarke said a successful ID card system could change British 
opposition to Schengen, paving the way for border posts to be swept 
away.  The introduction of ID cards could change the situation "15, 20, 
25, 30 years down the line," Mr Clarke said. "You would have to have an 
ID card system that works well."
http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/25/nid25.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/02/25
/ixnewstop.html

Driver's License Bill Concerns Groups - The Guardian
Fears in US surrounding the Real ID Act.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4829354,00.html

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor)
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++ What You Can Do
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Like any campaign we need funds and people. Any help or expertise of any
kind you can spare will be most welcome. Most important is to get other
people involved and to understand the issues. ID-CARDS sound innocent:
what the government wants is ID-CONTROL. When people know that they (and
their children) may be fingerprinted like criminals and will be made to
register every change of address with the authorities, their attitude
changes. So:-

1. Tell your friends about the campaign and that you are supporting it.
Most people are scarcely aware of the government's ID database project,
and few understand the dangers. Feel free to redistribute this
newsletter to acquaintances. (But please do introduce it personally and
don't spam.) Your personal witness will help others understand that this
is important.

2. Sign the Petition and get your friends and (adult) family to do so.
http://www.no2id-petition.net/

3. Let us know if you have time or special expertise that you can give
to the organisation or facilities you can lend us. The campaign is
getting bigger, but needs to grow some more. Fast. We urgently need any
assistance you can offer. We can use any amount of professional creative
and marketing expertise as we begin to lift public awareness of the
issues, but it would be handy to have reliable people to answer the
phone.  Volunteer at: volunteer at no2id.net

4. Get together with others in your area to form a local group. A
national campaign needs a national network. Experienced campaigner Guy
Taylor (local.groups at no2id.net) is available to help local groups build
our nationwide presence. Guy can tell you how to hold a public meeting,
set out your stall locally (literally as well as metaphorically), and
how to get other people involved. If you have experience of local
campaigns then by all means just start -- we will offer what help we
can. Details of forthcoming meetings, when we have them, are posted on
the website.

5. Raise the issue for discussion in any organisations you belong to.
Everyone is affected in some way.  Encourage any club, union or other
group you are in that opposes ID control to become a supporter or
affiliate itself.

6. Write to the local and national press, to express your concerns
whenever there is relevant news. Phone-in to appropriate radio and TV
programs. There is plenty of information on (and linked to) the website
to help you do this.

7. Write to your MP and MEP expressing your disquiet and ask for *their
personal* opinion on specific issues. (Big-party MPs in particular
sometimes avoid controversial matter, or may offer a standard statement
of general party policy rather than answering for themselves.)
FaxYourMP.com is a free and confidential way to get an answer.

8.  Contact your Councillor and ask questions about the costs for the
council, and the effect on council services and the police precept.

9. Buy a T-shirt, and wear it. This publicises the message--people will
ask you what it means--and raises funds. Details on the NO2ID website.
Or buy online at:
http://www.ntkmart.co.uk/ntkmart.cgi#No2ID
or
http://www.cashncarrion.co.uk/

10. Join. Membership starts at GBP15 a year (higher contributions
encouraged, and a modest standing order means a lot to us). It entitles
you to a say in the running of NO2ID. There is a membership form on the
website at www.no2id.net/content/join.html

11. Give generously. A few weeks back we had no money. Now we have a
little money, but we will always need more. The Home Office is planning
to spend billions.  But we will spend your money better.
Funds can be transferred to our HSBC Treasurer Account in the name of NO2ID
A/c no: 91339427
Sort Code 40-28-15
You can send a cheque, payable to "NO2ID" to: NO2ID, Box 412, 78
Marylebone High Street, LONDON W1U 5AP.
Special donation or sponsorship enquiries should be made to Guy Herbert
(general.secretary at no2id.net). Help in kind is equally welcome.

12. Link to us. Help us gather support on through the web by displaying
a button or banner (available on the website) on your own home site or
blog and linking to us.
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++ NO2ID Who's Who and Resources
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First port of call should be the website:
http://www.no2id.net/

IF you can't find what you need on the website...
General enquiries to: enquiries at no2id.net
Press enquiries *only* to: press at no2id.net

+ If you have specific assistance or information to offer, you can
contact the following NO2ID people:

National Coordinator - Phil Booth (national.coordinator at no2id.net)

Administration
General Secretary - Guy Herbert (general.secretary at no2id.net)
Newsletter Editor - Charles Farrier (newsletter at no2id.net)
Technical Manager - Owen Blacker (technical.manager at no2id.net)
Office Staff - office at no2id.net

Communications
Head of Campaigns - Andy Robson (campaigns at no2id.net)
Press Officer - Michael Parker (press.officer at no2id.net)
Public Affairs - Dave Walker (public.affairs at no2id.net)
Parliamentary Liaison - Rachael Marsh (parliamentary.liaison at no2id.net)
Events Manager  Cassandra Rae (events at no2id.net)

Development
National Secretary - Adam McGreggor (national.secretary at no2id.net)
Local Group Coordinator - Guy Taylor (local.groups at no2id.net)

Regional Coordinators
London - Andrew Weston (london at no2id.net)
Scotland - Trevor Mendham (scotland at no2id.net)

+ Please, please remember that everybody on this list is a volunteer,
and all will be getting a huge amount of email, so you should only
direct enquiries to the relevant person. We are grateful for all offers
of help, but can't guarantee to have time to give detailed answers to
individual general queries on the ID scheme.  There is a lot of
information on the website and there will soon be much, much more.

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Publication details:  (c) NO2ID 2005 - This document may be freely
redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as
it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be
mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.

NO2ID, Box No.412, 78 Marylebone High Street, LONDON W1U 5AP