[no2id-supporters] NO2ID NEWSLETTER No.17

Thu Mar 17 09:13:20 GMT 2005

NO2ID NEWSLETTER - Supporter's Newsletter No.17 - 17th March 2005
-----------------------------------------------------------------

+++ 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.)

++ HOUSE OF LORDS - IDENTITY CARDS BILL 2ND READING

The Identity Cards Bill is due to get its Second Reading in the House of 
Lords on Monday (March 21st).

Over the last two weeks several reports have appeared suggesting that 
the bill will not complete its passage through parliament before the 
election, due to a lack of time.  NO2ID remains cautious and
has continued lobbying Lords.  We have provided every sitting peer with 
an analysis of the Bill, and were able to make a presentation to a 
cross-party meeting on Tuesday 15th March.

It is still possible that the government may try to rush the Bill 
through.  It is still possible that an election does not take place in 
May. In theory at the end of the parliamentary session a deal may be 
done with the opposition to carry the Bill over to the next parliament, 
though senior Tories indicate that it is now regarded as 
"controversial", and this is unlikely.

Even if this Bill is dead, Labour has made ID cards part of one of its 
six pledges in the run up to the election, so it is likely that
they will be in the election manifesto.  The Home Office is not about to 
abandon its long-term dream.

One way or another we still have a battle ahead of us.  We must all 
continue to campaign and inform friends, relatives and colleagues of the 
arguments against identity cards.  Only when there is mass opposition to 
ID cards can we be sure the Government will drop the scheme.

NO2ID Lords Briefing:
www.no2id.net/IDSchemes/lordsBriefing.pdf

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

++ What Just Happened?
---------------------

+ YET MORE NEW LOCAL GROUPS

Our network of local groups continues to grow, with new groups in 
Corsham, Guildford, Hereford, Horsham, Manchester and York. Please get 
in touch with your local group if there 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 a guide to campaigning see
http://www.no2id.net/downloads/index.php

+ BRIGHTON AND HOVE COUNCIL MOTION NARROWLY DEFEATED

Last Thursday (March 10) a Green Party resolution against compulsory 
identity cards was defeated by just one vote, whilst outside NO2ID and 
Defy ID supporters staged a protest.

According to the Brighton and Hove Green Party website: "There was a 
clear division between supporters who believed the cards would increase 
security and opponents who saw them as a further attempt by the State to 
increase control. After rejecting a Labour amendment, the council was 
evenly spilt at exactly 50/50. The measure fell."

Similar motions have so far been passed by Norwich, York, Oxford, 
Liverpool and Sefton Metropolitan councils.

+ ID BILL - LOBBYING LORDS

There is resistance 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 before the bill's 2nd Reading.  We expect the Lords 
to conduct a rational
unhurried debate on this difficult topic, and to resist the Government's 
hustle.

We urge members and supporters to lobby any Lords they know before the 
2nd Reading on Monday.

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

++ What's Next?
------------

+ 19 MARCH - STOP THE WAR DEMO - Call For Volunteers

This Saturday (March 19), Stop The War is staging a 'Bring the Troops 
Home' demonstration to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of 
Iraq.  This is an opportunity for us to reach a large group of people 
from all parts of the country.  Volunteers are required to help 
distribute NO2ID leaflets at the event.

Meet at 12 noon in Hyde Park at the tea hut (a green circular thing) 
about 150 metres south of speakers corner for loading up with leaflets 
and a bit of a chat about tactics on the day.

+ 19 MARCH - CORSHAM NO2ID STALL

This Saturday (March 19), Corsham NO2ID is having a stall in the centre 
of the town to spread the anti-ID card message to shoppers.
  Saturday 19th March 2005 from 10:00am - 2:00pm
  Opposite Somerfield supermarket.
  For further details or to volunteer contact (corsham at no2id.net).

+ 21 MARCH - WORTHING NO2ID RALLY

Worthing NO2ID  will be holding a public meeting to express  their 
concern  about the Government's ID card policy, and to explain the full 
extent/consequences of the Database behind this scheme.
  Monday 21st March 2005 at 6:30pm
  St Pauls Centre, Richmond Road, Worthing
  Map & further details on the Worthing NO2ID website:
http://www.no2id-worthing.net/public_meeting.htm

+ 24 MARCH - BRIGHTON & HOVE NO2ID PUBLIC MEETING

Brighton & Hove NO2ID will be holding a public meeting against ID cards, 
supported by NO2ID Brighton & Hove and Brighton Defy-ID.
  Thursday 24th March 2005 at 7:30pm
  Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AF
  Speakers from NO2ID, Campaign Against Criminalising Communities, and 
more to be confirmed.

+ 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 - MUSIC EVENT

Several NO2ID volunteers and supporters are involved in the music 
business as performers or promoters, and we are also working towards 
musical events to raise funds and awareness.  If you would like to help, 
please email music at no2id.net

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

+ PETITION FORM

Like the UK population, our petition is not only online. Collect names 
on the petition form to demonstrate how big the opposition to identity 
cards is. A supporter recently collected over one hundred signatures in 
a single afternoon. If you would like to collect signatures on paper in 
your area, you can download a petition form at
www.no2id.net/downloads/forms/NO2ID%20Petition.pdf

and return the completed forms to the office.
Please let Guy Taylor (local.groups at no2id.net) know about any local 
activity.

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

++ "ID" In the News

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

ID cards are a waste, says security guru - Computer Weekly
Bruce Schneier tells Computer Weekly why ID cards could exacerbate crime
http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=137172

+

ID scheme worries faith groups - Kablenet.com
"The UK ID card scheme is proving a major concern for members of 
religious organisations, new research shows"
http://www.kablenet.com/kd.nsf/Frontpage/FD592EA1497A735B80256FC50045D199?OpenDocument

+

Identity crisis over UK cards - Daily Telegraph
"Why has the mainstream British media by and large not sought direct 
feedback from Brits who today live and who have lived for years under ID 
card schemes?"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&targetRule=10&xml=/global/2005/03/08
/elrob711.xml

+

Identity Crisis - Edinburgh Student Newspaper
"ID cards can be seen as an intrusion of daily life and a step towards 
an Orwellian state or as a convenient and necessary part of modern life"
http://www.studentnewspaper.org/view_article.php?article_id=20050307142120

+ REPORTS SUGGEST THE ID CARDS BILL WILL NOT SURVIVE THE ELECTION:

U.K. biometric ID card bill faces uncertain future - Computerworld
"It will likely be defeated in the House of Lords and may be shelved"
http://www.computerworld.com/governmenttopics/government/story/0,10801,100388,00.html

ID card plans "dead in the water" - Silicon.com
"Blair running out of time in pre-election legislative scramble"
http://www.silicon.com/0,39024729,39128768,00.htm

Government to sacrifice ID card bill - Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/idcards/story/0,15642,1437991,00.html?gusrc=rss
Interestingly from a paper friendly to the Government describes the Bill 
as "hated"

ID scheme to die in pre-election cull? - The Register
"A further signal that the Government was prepared to write off the ID 
Card Bill and blame the opposition"
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/14/blunkett_id_bill_prospects/

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor)
-------------------------------------------

++ What You Can Do
-------------------

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.
-----------------------------

++ NO2ID Who's Who and Resources
-----------------------------
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.

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

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