NO2ID News No. 114

8 January 2009

+ MODERN LIBERTY CONVENTION - DATE FOR YOUR DIARY & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED +

We are entering a dangerous period in our country. Economic turmoil threatens profound hardship and disharmony. Disenchantment with politics is growing and even legitimate protest is threatened by an unprecedented programme of challenges to our rights, freedoms and democracy. Sixty years ago Britain was a proud co-author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Now it is increasingly centralized, abandoning its historic principles some of which date back to the Magna Carta.

On Saturday 28th February NO2ID, along with other UK civil liberties organisations, will be hosting Convention on Modern Liberty events across the UK and in London. The convention will ask three broad questions:

    * Are our freedoms and rights threatened by an over-powerful state and if so how do we defend ourselves from this?
    * Are dangers to our security from terrorism and other threats, from climate change to pandemics being used to attack our rights, and how can we best defend ourselves?
    * How can we arouse sustained public interest?

The main event will take place at the Logan Hall but simultaneously meetings with live video feeds from London will take place in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Manchester, Cambridge and Bristol.

NO2ID is looking for volunteer stewards for Logan Hall on the 28th February, all day. The Convention on Modern Liberty is a huge, high profile event involving a wide range of people, all concerned about the attacks on our freedom. We expect it to be not only an exciting and important event, but a fantastic opportunity for NO2ID to reach new supporters.

If you would be able to act as a steward on the 28th Feb, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net. You'll get to see a lot of the panels, debates and break-out sessions and we'll feed you too. Please help us make our mark on this important event.

More details here: http://www.modernliberty.net

What just happened?

+ Government look for ad agency to sell ID cards +

The UK Identity and Passport service (UKIPS) is looking for an ad agency to sell the idea of ID cards and the National Identity Register to UK citizens. The winning agency will be responsible for handling all advertising for UKIPS, which will include briefs on passports, the National Identity Scheme and ID cards. The government clearly needs all the help they can get as even their own polls show falling support for ID cards. NO2ID's most recent poll shows that those surveyed oppose government data-trafficking by a majority of 2 to 1.
The Home Office poll is at: http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Tracking_Wave_6_(Nov_08)_%20report.pdf
NO2ID's poll is at: http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/pdfs/2008_dec_no2id_poll.pdf

+ Surrey County Council stands up for privacy and rejects ID Cards +

Surrey County Council has passed a motion against ID Cards by 44 votes to 20 with 2 abstentions. The council resolved to not participate in the ID scheme unless required to do so by law. County Councillor Stephen Cooksey said: "The motion may appear to be a small step of defiance against unacceptable government intrusion into our private lives but many other local authorities throughout the country have already taken action and together send an important message to the central government that local government values the freedom of individuals and their right to privacy; values its relationship with the citizens that it serves and will do everything possible to prevent that relationship being undermined."
The motion can be read at: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/legcom/CouncilP.nsf/f5fb086c73d64f3000256954004aed25/a04551d6fb77ceef802575010053eb3c?OpenDocument

+ ID cards play goes on tour +

The Kali Theatre Company are taking their play 'Another Paradise' on a UK tour during March and April. The play is set "in a familiar world not so far in the future when Identity Cards are compulsory and people are validated only by their digital ID in the National Identity Database". The writer, Sayan Kent, said: "If the biometric identity card becomes reality, it would move us as a nation into surreal territory. And that's just where this play is set". The show will visit Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds, Plymouth, Coventry and London.
For more details see http://www.kalitheatre.co.uk/whatson/Another_Paradise.htm

+ Home Secretary gets a little help - from the taxpayer +

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has spent £2,000 of taxpayers money on "executive coaching" since her appointment in June 2007. The bill covers six training sessions that Smith has received. The Home Office declined to give details but executive coaching commonly includes dealing with stress and voice training.

What's next?

+ ID cards secondary legislation consultation +
The Identity and Passport Service has launched a consultation on secondary legislation proposed under the Identity Cards Act 2006, including a draft Code of Practice on Civil Penalties. Any comments should be sent to: Robin Woodland, Identity Cards Act Secondary Legislation Consultation, Home Office, Identity and Passport Service, Allington Towers, 19 Allington Street, London SW1E 5EB. Comments may also be sent by email to: identitycards@ips.gsi.gov.uk. If commenting by email then include the words "consultation response" in the subject title. Closing date 13th February 2009.
See http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Legislation.pdf

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Cambridge +

+ 24th January - NO2ID Cambridge Stall +
Saturday, 24th January at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

+ 4th February - Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +
Wednesday, 4th February 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

+ Camden +

+ 3rd February - Camden NO2ID meeting (1st Tuesday of each month) +
Tuesday, 3rd February 8pm at The Castle, Pentonville Road. All welcome. Please email camden@no2id.net for any info.

+ Chelmsford +

+ 19th January - Chelmsford NO2ID Meeting +
Monday, 19th January 7.30pm-8.30pm at The Two Brewers (opp Tescos in Chelmsford)

Join our mailing list at: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.chelmsford

+ Daventry +

+ 14th January - Daventry NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 14th January at 8pm in the Saracen's Head, Daventry. Contact daventry@no2id.net for more information.

+ Dorking +

In January, Dorking groups celebrates its first birthday. Incredibly all the actions we proposed back in Jan and Feb 2008 have been achieved. We have picked up over 2500 signatures for the petition, organised a public meeting to raise awareness and pushed the Local Council to pass a motion against ID Cards. In addition, as a bonus, we also found Surrey County Council passed the same motion a few weeks later. If you want to be involved in 2009, you will be very welcome - I have a feeling Civil Liberty issues are going to be even bigger this year.

+ 3rd February - NO2ID Dorking Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +
Tuesday, 3rd February 7.30pm at The Lincoln Arms, near Dorking mainline station. Free drinks all night for new members!

+ Edinburgh +

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@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ 20th January - Edinburgh NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday. 20th January at 7.00pm in The Hall, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. Following our high-profile demonstrations in 2007 and 2008 we shall be planning our campaign for this year, to oppose the database state and to highlight the government's ever-increasing obsession with surveillance. All welcome

+ Glasgow +

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@no2id.net

+ London +

+ January 2009 - Superheroes Against National ID Cards protest +
January 2009 (Date TBC shortly) Parliament Square, London. A fun protest against: the National Identity Register, the erosion of our civil liberties, the database state & the monopolisation of superhero protests! Help end this Orwellian nightmare...!
See http://www.superheroesagainst.org.uk/

+ Manchester +

+ 10th January - Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 10th January 2pm - 4pm in St. Ann's Square to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We'll be collecting signatures for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the campaign. We'll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!

+ 14th January - Manchester NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 14th January 7pm in the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester. Sadly, this venue is not wheelchair-accessible; please contact us if you have accessibility needs (e-mail us on manchester@no2id.net or call us on 07982 814441).

Full details at http://manchester.no2id.net/

+ Newcastle +

+ 13th January - Newcastle NO2ID Meeting (NOTE NEW VENUE), 2nd Tuesday of each month +
Tuesday, 13th January 7.30pm at the Jazz café, Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne. The owner of the venue is a supporter of our campaign. The change of venue is in response to the need to find a better, more politically-neutral venue. The new day is in response to several local members' problems attending on Wednesday. We have listened to our members and responded as soon as we were able to find a suitable venue. For more info contact Nathan on newcastle@no2id.net

+ Oxford +

+ 8th January - Oxford NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 8th January 8pm at The Mitre, High Street, Oxford. We usually meet on the first Thursday of the month but since this falls on New Year's Day we thought we'd push it back a week. See you then!

See the website for more: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/

+ Shrewsbury +

+ 19th January - Shrewsbury NO2ID "dining club" (3rd Monday of the month) +
Monday, 19th January - our regular "dining club" is meeting at about 7.15pm somewhere in the town centre. Do join us for a meal, or just come along for a drink. We need to book the table a few days in advance, so contact Rob Findlay on shrewsbury@no2id.net (or 07973 848910) if you'd like to come along.

+ York +

A York group of NO2ID has now been formed with Ruth Prosser acting as the local co-ordinator. An inaugural meeting is currently being planned and will be advertised shortly. In the meantime if you live in the area Ruth can be contacted at York@no2id.net or you can contact James Elsdon-Baker the regional Yorkshire co-ordinator at Yorkshire@no2id.net

"ID" in the news

+ No ID? Then it's hard cheese, luv - Daily Mail 5/1/09 +
Proof of identity looks like becoming this year's elf'n'safety. As the Government presses ahead with its ridiculously expensive and utterly useless ID cards scheme, barely a day goes by without a fresh report of someone having to prove their age at a supermarket checkout counter.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1106185/LITTLEJOHN-Welcome-2009-Heads-lose-tails-doomed.html

+ UK government to outsource internet tracking - vnunet 3/1/09 +
The UK government is planning to use a private company to run its proposed database of every phone call, text, email and web site visit. In a proposal from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the task of collecting and maintaining the records would be given to a private firm in order to reduce costs.
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2233212/uk-government-outsource

+ Tenth of personal data held by Government is 'inaccurate' - Telegraph 1/1/09 +
Government figures show that as many as 3.5 millions records, out of a total of 47 million, were not right. The Conservatives said the revelation has serious security issues and warned that some information is being handed to third parties without authorisation.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/4060686/Tenth-of-personal-data-held-by-Government-is-inaccurate.html

+ S. Korean woman 'tricked' airport fingerprint scan - The Daily Yomiuri 1/1/09 +
A South Korean woman entered Japan on a fake passport in April 2008 by slipping through a state-of-the-art biometric immigration control system using special tape on her fingers to alter her fingerprints, it was learned Wednesday.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20090101TDY01303.htm

+ 1978: Labour opposed ID cards to curb illegal immigration - The Times 30/12/08 +
The Labour administration in 1978 believed the introduction of ID cards would be "unacceptable" and "objectionable" in the fight against illegal immigration, confidential documents released today show.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5415760.ece

+ Parents are encouraged to 'shield' children on database - Telegraph 27/12/08 +
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is launching a publicity campaign to let families know how much information on them will be held by ContactPoint. In defiance of Government guidance, it will tell them they can have details kept from the estimated one million officials who would otherwise be allowed to access them.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/3966681/Parents-are-encouraged-to-shield-children-on-database.html

+ "Please give me an ID card" say UK citizens - Silicon.com 22/12/08 +
More than 1,000 messages asking for ID cards have flooded into the Home Office. Over the last two years, 1,142 out of 3,073 pieces of correspondence to government on the biometric cards have been classified as "wants an ID card", according to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39368026,00.htm

+ Jacqui Smith's husband behind series of defensive letters - Telegraph 21/12/08 +
Richard Timney has written a series of letters to the Redditch Advertiser, in the Home Secretary's constituency, defending controversial plans for ID cards and attacking the Conservatives.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/3884523/Jacqui-Smiths-husband-behind-series-of-defensive-letters.html

+ Home Office stalls on DNA database decision - Kable 16/12/08 +
In a speech to the IT trade association Intellect on 16 December 2008, Smith announced one change in policy: the government will immediately begin to remove the DNA of children under 10 - the age of responsibility - from the database. But she remained non-commital on the broader use of the database, saying only that the government will bring forward proposals for consultation on the retention of DNA samples in a forensics white paper next year.
http://www.kablenet.com/kd.nsf/FrontpageRSS/9D529DB978AAAAB68025752100544F69!OpenDocument

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

Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 - 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.
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