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Open Letter to Blunkett

A. Freeman | 10.07.2002 23:23

Dear David, I am not a number, I'm a free man.

I will never carry a compulsory ID card and I fully expect to be jailed for it if need be.

The reason I will never accept compulsory ID cards is that if we do, then we submit our rights of freedom of movement and assembly to the whim of every bureaucrat and policeman who crosses our path. If freedom of movement and assembly are no longer rights but privileges granted to us only at the decision of the political powers then we cannot call ourselves free at all.

Therefore I see little to lose in being jailed when there is no freedom outside the prison walls either.

If those in the UK who are enemies of freedom decide that the terrorist attack on the WTC is an opportunity to be taken advantage of to attack all our freedoms, then they align themselves with the terrorists - they are continuing their campaign by other means.

Therefore I see everything to lose by complying with this measure.

Compulsory ID cards are not a measure to fight terrorism. An undercover sleeper agent will not suddenly become visible because he carries an ID card. He will remain indistinguishable from any other member of our society.

Therefore I see the supposed justification for introducing these cards as entirely spurious.

If we sacrifice our freedom for some illusory sense of security, we will certainly end up with neither. But I see you as asking us by these measures to sacrifice our freedoms for absolutely no improvement to our security.

Therefore I see grave danger in not resisting this measure with all my strength, and on calling on others who also see through the sham of justification to the blow you wish to strike against our freedom to join me likewise.

Yours in freedom, and with the intent to remain that way.

A. Freeman

Comments

Display the following 6 comments

  1. We fought the war & the law won! — Tommy Atkins
  2. Give me a break — Mat
  3. I Choose My Own Identity — Paul Marsh
  4. Patronizing Git — I.D. Spair
  5. re mat — no cc no driving L
  6. Well exactly — Mat