NO2ID call for protests in face of regional ID card roll-out

Moon23 | 30.07.2009 13:01

Manchester NO2ID callout for protest in early October to resist the regional launch of the hated ID scheme.

from NO2ID Manchester

The ID con: Manchester Says No

As the Home Secretary attempted yet another relaunch of the hated
National Identity Scheme in Manchester today, NO2ID [2] announces it
is launching a major new information campaign this autumn, as people
in Manchester and the North-West prepare to become the guinea-pigs in
the Government's first attempt at a regional rollout of the National
Identity Scheme anywhere in the UK.

The populations of so-called 'Beacon Areas' in the North-West,
including Manchester, will be encouraged to register voluntarily on
the scheme, which will require them to hand over their fingerprints
and consent to having their personal data held on the National
Identity Database for life.

In response to the Government's action, NO2ID has pledged to work with
the local media, trade unions, students' organisations, community
groups, Manchester City Councillors and MPs to explain exactly what
this could mean for the lives, families and jobs of the population of
Manchester and beyond.

At the beginning of October, NO2ID will be holding a series of events,
meetings and protests in the city, aiming to raise awareness and allow
the people of the North-West a voice in defending their way of life
from this intrusive scheme.

In the coming weeks a new website will be publicising all aspects of
the campaign, encouraging individuals, groups and communities to come
together and plan their contribution.

Dave Page, NO2ID North-West regional co-ordinator, said:

'What they're keeping quiet is that once you are on that database, you
can never come off it. From the moment you're registered you'll have
to tell the authorities of any change in your circumstances for the
rest of your life - and pay whatever fees they ask for the 'service'.
You'll
never know who's looking at your details.
'It won't protect our safety. It won't be convenient - except for
Whitehall. This scheme is an expensive and dangerous con. The people
of
Manchester aren't stupid, Sir Humphrey.'

Phil Booth, National Co-ordinator for NO2ID, said:

'People in the North West are smart enough to read the small print.
Once you're on the ID database you'll never be free - you'll be locked
in for life. Inform yourself, inform others. Don't be a guinea-pig.
Together we can beat this insidious scheme.'
-ENDS-

Notes for editors:

1) 'National ID card unveiled', BBC News, 30/7/09 -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8175139.stm

2) NO2ID is the UK-wide non-partisan campaign against ID cards and the
database state. See

http://www.no2id.net/dbstate.php for a list of
‘database state’ initiatives that NO2ID is actively opposing, and

http://www.no2id.net/datasharing for how it all fits together.

For further information, or for immediate or future interview, please contact:

In Manchester:
Dave Page (Regional Coordinator,