[no2id-supporters] NO2ID Supporters' Newsletter No. 78 - 16th August 2007

[no2id-supporters at no2id.net]

NO2ID Supporters' Newsletter No. 78 - 16th August 2007 


Contacting us: Call or email the office - 020-7793-4005 or
(office at no2id.net). Please do not reply to this email. (The from address is
not a working email address)

 

 

 

STOP PRESS!  Help the Pet Shop Boys Protest Against ID Cards!

 

Pet Shop Boys are filming a video for ‘Integral’, the song from their new
album that protests against plans for ID cards, and would like your help.
On Tuesday 21st August, from 2pm till 8pm, volunteers will be asked to hold
up printed frames of a video clip to their faces, and more people will be
needed for the background.  This is a great high profile support for the
campaign so let’s help make the video as impactful as possible.  If you’re
interested please email jacqui at thesweetshop.tv.  The venue for the shoot is
Whitefield Memorial Church, 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD.

 

 


AS THE PROCESS TO MAKE ID CARDS A REALITY CREAKS INTO LIFE, IT’S TIME TO
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.


A year and a half after steamrollering the Identity Cards Act through
Parliament, and having already spent over £72 million of taxpayers' money*,
the government has announced the beginning of its procurement process for
the National Identity Scheme.

 

No contracts have been awarded, no specifications have been issued, and the
main contracts won't be finalised until NEXT JUNE at the earliest. There's
still a lo-o-ong way to go.

 

So, what can we do to stop it? 

 

The battle is far from over, and already the public is beginning to wake up
to the surveillance state. We know that the more people find out about the
ID scheme and database state, the less they like it - which is why the
government remains so secretive about the details. Our job, while the Home
Office desperately tries to get its act together, is to spread the word: the
more who come to understand the scheme, and the intention behind it, the
more who will ultimately resist or refuse to comply. 

 

And it's quite straightforward - just reach out. To people you know, and
people you've never met. To groups you're involved in, and groups you've
never heard of. All over the UK, in every town and city there are people who
have had enough. NO2ID started with dozens, now we're tens of thousands
strong - and that's largely down to people like you who decided to get
together with others (often just one or two, to begin with) and do
something.

 

We're always on the lookout for new local group coordinators, to raise
awareness in your community and be a point of contact for those who also
wish to get involved. Our tools may be simple - letters, leaflets and the
odd bit of ingenuity - but their effect has already helped shift public
opinion 30% against the scheme. You CAN make a difference.

 

To join a group near you, check out our website -
http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/index.php - or, if you want to start one up
in your area, please send an e-mail to local.groups at no2id.net

 

 

*PA Consulting, the original 'development partner' for the ID programme,
estimated in 2005 that the "development and procurement phases" of the
project would cost £18.74 million. The (so far) quadrupling of this cost
makes the LSE's £20 billion estimate for setting up the scheme look rather
more accurate than the government's unsubstantiated figures.

 

 


What's next?


Local groups news


We now have a new NO2ID group in Sterling (contact via sterling at no2id.net).
We also have a new coordinator in Southampton and John Giblin has taken over
as group coordinator for Dundee, John is keen to recruit new members would
like interested supporters to get in touch (via dundee at no2id.net). Our
Bournemouth group is also looking for new members and would like interested
people to get in touch (via bournemout at no2id.net). A full list of local
groups can be found at www.no2id.net/localGroups


Kensington and Chelsea NO2ID mugs 


Kensington & Chelsea NO2ID once again have some mugs sporting the NO2ID
logo. The mugs are available by mail order for just £7 or £4 in person with
a reduction for bulk purchases i.e. (4 or more) to £3. Contact
kensington at no2id.net for more details of how to order. 


Manchester NO2ID calls for "Students against ID" volunteers


Manchester NO2ID are still looking for people interested in helping with a
Students Against ID society in the next academic year. If you're at all
interested, whether you'd be prepared to shoulder the responsibility
yourself or just help someone else out, please drop an e-mail to
manchester at no2id.net


Still showing - "Taking Liberties" documentary film featuring NO2ID at
cinemas around the country


The documentary which features NO2ID is still showing at cinemas across the
UK. The film is described as "a shocking but hilarious polemic documentary
that charts the destruction of all your Basic Liberties under 10 Years of
New Labour". More info at http://www.noliberties.com/cinema.htm


Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall


Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the
east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.  Do drop by for a
chat.  New volunteers - please contact John(edinburgh at no2id.net), and for
more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/


Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow Street Stall 


Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan
Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact
Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow at no2id.net.


18th August - NO2ID Tunbridge Wells stall


Saturday, 18th August from 11am - There will be a Tunbridge Wells stall on
the Pedestrian Precinct, between Boots & The Body Shop,  outside The Royal
Victoria Precinct (map at http://tinyurl.com/2h38xo). There was a fantastic
public response to the second Tonbridge stall end July & a third Tonbridge
stall is planned shortly.


21st August - Glasgow NO2ID Meeting


Tuesday 21st August, our regular fortnightly meeting at 8pm in Mono. All
welcome. Map: http://www.glasgow-no2id.org.uk/meeting.html


8th September - Cambridge NO2ID at the Cherry Hinton Festival 


Saturday, 8th September - Cambridge NO2ID will have a stall at the Cherry
Hinton Festival (http://www.cherryhintonfestival.co.uk/). Volunteers to help
man the stall and distribute NO2ID literature, car stickers and badges very
welcome. Contact Alex or Andrew at cambridge at no2id.net.

Dundee NO2ID

The Dundee group is on a drive to recruit new members.  Anyone interested
should contact Jon: dundee at no2id.net

Bournemouth NO2ID

The Bournemouth group is also keen to attract new recruits.  Anyone
interested should contact Peter: bournemouth at no2id.net

  _____  


What just happened?


Belgian ID sales make ID meaningless 


Belgian companies are being told about "a new type of organised fraud which
is apparently gaining ground". A circular from the employers' federation
FEB, the equivalent of the CBI, warns firms about "people of Belgian
nationality - authorised to work legally in Belgium - who 'sell' their
identity to people who are in an illegal situation". The buyer then takes a
job under the seller's name. "The name-lender is compensated by taking a
commission on the wage which is paid by the employers to his/her account,
and he/she then re-transfers the remainder to the illegal worker." Will all
this lead to calls for stricter ID laws in Belgium? Unlikely, as its ID laws
have long been among the strictest in the world (in fact, ever since the
First World War, when the German occupiers made it compulsory to carry ID
cards anywhere outside one's own home). Also, Belgium is one of the first
countries to convert to electronic ID cards. None of which seems to have
stopped illegal employment on such a scale that it is even beginning to
worry the employers' federation. And, of course, anyone with a Belgian ID -
real or bought - can work in the UK. A British ID system would do nothing to
change that.

 

NO2ID sparks friction online

 

Friction.tv is a website that allows you to have tour say about issues that
concern you. Upload a short video and you can start new debates, or join
existing ones.  And now, Friction.tv are partnering with Channel Five news.
The best videos on the site are broadcast in a new ‘Your Views’ slot on main
bulletins throughout the day.  Follow the link below to see NO2ID’s
contribution, watch the link and join the debate.

http://www.friction.tv/debate.php?debateno=851 


Campaigning case study: Glasgow NO2ID finds huge success on social
networking sites


NO2ID Glasgow set up a Myspace profile around 6 months ago and after several
format changes, we now have 600 friends (we are still little fish!) and a
great network of people who love our profile and offer their services to the
group in diverse ways.

 

We have picked up new devoted members. Jaqs brings NO2ID to bands in the
area, with San Sebastian playing T in the park in NO2ID T shirts. And
recently Claire and her buddy were happy to get themselves chained up at a
recent protest!  Justin Currie (ex-Del Amitri) is keen to involve us in the
Glasgow leg of his upcoming tour! And we have a guy who is very enthusiastic
about starting up a new local group in Scotland. We receive tons of
messages. Some people have questions about the legislation, and some offer
vital practical support.

 

By linking to NO2ID’s main site we have connected people to information
about local groups, how to get their hands on merchandise (every one loves
the T shirts) and hooked up people abroad with NO2ID expats. We also do
regular ‘myth busters’ on the profile and through bulletins, addressing the
common assertions that ID cards will combat terrorism, ID theft and illegal
immigration. These get reposted by many, spreading the message even further.

 

NO2ID Glasgow is part of seven Mypace profiles promoting regional groups
with Manchester recently coming on board. Most importantly it’s been a great
(cheap) method of spreading awareness and an effective recruitment tool.


NO2ID Office strength bolstered


NO2ID South Bank office in London has been strengthened recently by several
new volunteers. Many thanks to everyone who has come forward to lend a hand.

  _____  


"ID" in the news


ID card contracts put out to tender - The Guardian 9/8/07


Lucrative contracts worth up to £500m each have been put out to tender today
for the government's controversial identity card scheme. Five firms will be
chosen to supply computer equipment and manage the application and issuing
of ID cards.
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2145486,00.html

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter -
Editor(newsletter at no2id.net) )

  _____  

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  _____  

Publication details: © NO2ID 2007 - 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 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ

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