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The last month has mostly been spent working on forging closer links with the
University and societies there. While Students Against ID didn't have their own
stall at Freshers', our flyers and sign-up sheets were carried by Openmedia,
the Young Greens, and Lib Dem Youth & Students. We also had a NO2ID /
Students Against ID stall at the Alternative Freshers' Fair on Friday.
Thanks to the organisations which supported us at Freshers' Fair, and the
volunteers - Gwyneth, Arthur, Barry and Rachael - who ran our stall at the AFF.
We've also been discussing having the Students' Union pasing a motion opposing
the National Identity Scheme, and various events at which we can promote
Students Against ID and NO2ID.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Thursday 4th October 7pm: `Taking Liberties' screening with director Chris Atkins
Manchester Uni Amnesty International are screening the civil liberties
documentary film `Taking Liberties' in MP1 at Manchester University
Students' Union, Oxford Road at 7pm. Entrance is free, and director
Chris Atkins will be on hand to answer any questions you might have
about the film or civil liberties matters in general.
TAKING LIBERTIES uncovers the stories the government don't want you
to hear - so ridiculous you will laugh, so ultimately terrifying you
will want to take action. Teenage sisters detained for 36 hours for
a peaceful protest; an RAF war veteran arrested for wearing an
anti-Bush and Blair T-shirt; an innocent man shot in a police raid;
and a man held under house arrest for two years, after being found
innocent in court. Ordinary law-abiding citizens being punished for
exercising their "rights" - rights that have been fought for over
centuries, and which seem to have been extinguished in a decade.
Irreverent but revelatory, outrageous but true, TAKING LIBERTIES
combines these real stories of liberty loss with never-seen-before
footage, cheeky stunts and comment from Mark Thomas, leading
politicians, celebrities, human rights organisations, academics and
lawyers. Narration from Ashley Jensen (EXTRAS, UGLY BETTY); a
pumping soundtrack with tracks by Oasis, Radiohead, Stranglers and
Franz Ferdinand; and the presence of Kurt Engfehr, producer of
FAHRENHEIT 9/11 and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE add up to make TAKING
LIBERTIES the most explosive and controversial film to hit screens
this summer.
We could use a couple of people at this event to flyer and take
contact details for NO2ID / Students Against ID - please e-mail
manchester@no2id.net if you can help with this.
Saturday 13th October 1-3pm: Street Stall
We'll be running a Saturday afternoon stall in St. Anne's Square. The
main objectives of the afternoon will be to raise awareness among the
public, engage people in discussion about the NIR, and collect
petitions for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the
campaign.
We'll meet in the square itself at 1pm 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!
Wednesday 17th October 7-9pm: Manchester No2ID Meeting
Manchester NO2ID will be holding our monthly meeting in the upstairs
function room of the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester. Sadly,
this venue is not wheelchair-accessible; please contact us if you have
accessibility needs.
At our monthly meetings we discuss the state of the NO2ID campaign,
what we've been up to recently and where we're going in future.
Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed.
The Town Hall Tavern serves reasonably-priced, good quality food until
8pm so you don't need to pop home for tea - you can even order your
meal brought up to the function room.
UPCOMING CAMPAIGNS
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Once we've finished getting our student presence up and running, we'll
be returning to lobbying unions and community groups to affiliate to
NO2ID, and hopefully organise some meetings and presentations through
them. Volunteers for this kind of work are always needed, if you feel
that you have the time to drop a few e-mails out to organisations then
please contact manchester@no2id.net
We'll also be looking at holding a large public meeting in February or
March next year; preparations for this need to start soon!