Post by Mitch on Oct 31, 2005 16:08:26 GMT
PUBLIC MEETING - BURNLEY/PENDLE DEFY ID
SPEAKER - JOHN SIMPKIN
CHAIR - FRED
10 present, 2 apologies.
This meeting was excellent, really focussed on the issue of anti-ID cards. The talk was excellent by John, with superb chair Fred as unfortunately our chair was off ill. The talk and discussions afterwards focused on the increasing social control intent behind the introduction to ID Cards, and a really constructive discussion afterwards thinking of ways we can build as a group, and how we can organise against ID cards in Burnley and Pendle. Many ideas came out of the meeting, some of which are already currently being done - including press release and date for next meeting - all welcome:
Next meeting - Thursday, 10th November 2005/Burnley Methodists (opposite Blockbuster on Hargreaves Streeet/Adjacent to Town Hall). Commences 7pm.
NOTES FROM MEETING (rushed job - cause I'm sciving off work!)
Key Points from talk:
Wider scenario of social control and non-government bodies collecting information on us -.
Government blurring issues between private and public - the building of a database behind the introduction of ID cards which will be MARKETABLE, ie. those accessing that information will include large corporations, banks and so forth. Tesco was identified as a large corporation already collecting information on it's consumers (1 in 4 of us shop there, putting Tesco's in a unique position to collect this information on what we buy, when we buy it, etc).
The issue of corporate bodies collecting information - prediction through consumer spending - linking this in with ID cards, and the push towards dominating the market through social control.
How can we combat it - large numbers of people refusing to register - links were made with strategy during fighting the poll tax (of which our speaker John had lots of experience).
Our full history (with more information collected on us through the introduction of ID Cards) will be available to various bodies including the Police, Healthcare institutions and if the information is marketable - it could be available to numerous corporations and groups who have the money to pay for it!
The many categories of registered fact - John sited 51 proposed on current ID card.
Outlining the nature of social control behind ID card introduction - control will be economic, social and political!
What could be the result of their introduction - big companies won't touch you without an ID card - could affect employment, credit, benefits.
Civil death - the Home Secretary will have the power to take away your ID card.
Introduction of ID cards in other parts of Europe were discussed - elsewhere there is less of an element of social control than that planned in the UK. John also brought up the point that in Holland, where ID cards do exist, 50,000 ID card fines have already been handed out, most of them to children aged 14/15.
The number of stops and searches will increase!
Different arguments used against ID cards were also discussed.
The chaos around biometrics was disccussed - there are currently 13 different means proposed - the cock-up of the brown eyes failure for identification was mentioned. The reason why so many ways to identify a person are being proposed, is to get round some of these failures.
The key argument being used to promote ID cards is that they will combat Identity Fraud, but Microsoft have said that rather than combat identify fraud, ID cards will actually facilitate it, and make it easier.
Our speaker talked about Northern Ireland, and how information collected there by the British Army was misused.
Talking about how to combat - the Poll tax and stragegies fighting that were discussed. As the poll tax introduction got closer - everyone wanted to know about it.
There is talk of introducting a two tier system of ID cards, where a cheaper £30 card will be available, but you'll have to pay this every time it's renewed, ie. every time you change address.
The significant costs incurred by the public were discussed.
What are the consequences of ID cards - WIDER COLLECTION OF DATA ON US.
The example of Oxford Council pledging there commitment that no employer connected with them will take up ID cards! A significant example, and blueprint for other councils?
Pressure for junior ID cards.
Social control - won't be able to receive NHS treatment without your ID card.
Fighting ID cards is about reclaiming our Lives.
.............. end talk
DISCUSSION CONTENT:
Focus on our experiences of social control, what would happen if we lost the ID card, fines, linking up to other technology being used for social control.
What next - Press release (see sister thread)
Rotating meetings - Burnley, Nelson, Colne.
Linking with other groups Against ID, broadening campaign.
Learning lessons from fighting the Poll Tax.
Film showings with projector at Burnley Methodists
Next meeting date - Thursday, 10th November 2005, starts 7pm/Burnley Methodists/adjacent to Town Hall. ALL WELCOME
Many many thanks to our great speaker John (we'll have him back lots!! and Fred our superb chair who stepped in at the last minute, with great humour as always).
Cheers Mitch
PS. Note to Chair - Fred if I've missed anything do add it on, or any thoughts/ideas you had.
SPEAKER - JOHN SIMPKIN
CHAIR - FRED
10 present, 2 apologies.
This meeting was excellent, really focussed on the issue of anti-ID cards. The talk was excellent by John, with superb chair Fred as unfortunately our chair was off ill. The talk and discussions afterwards focused on the increasing social control intent behind the introduction to ID Cards, and a really constructive discussion afterwards thinking of ways we can build as a group, and how we can organise against ID cards in Burnley and Pendle. Many ideas came out of the meeting, some of which are already currently being done - including press release and date for next meeting - all welcome:
Next meeting - Thursday, 10th November 2005/Burnley Methodists (opposite Blockbuster on Hargreaves Streeet/Adjacent to Town Hall). Commences 7pm.
NOTES FROM MEETING (rushed job - cause I'm sciving off work!)
Key Points from talk:
Wider scenario of social control and non-government bodies collecting information on us -.
Government blurring issues between private and public - the building of a database behind the introduction of ID cards which will be MARKETABLE, ie. those accessing that information will include large corporations, banks and so forth. Tesco was identified as a large corporation already collecting information on it's consumers (1 in 4 of us shop there, putting Tesco's in a unique position to collect this information on what we buy, when we buy it, etc).
The issue of corporate bodies collecting information - prediction through consumer spending - linking this in with ID cards, and the push towards dominating the market through social control.
How can we combat it - large numbers of people refusing to register - links were made with strategy during fighting the poll tax (of which our speaker John had lots of experience).
Our full history (with more information collected on us through the introduction of ID Cards) will be available to various bodies including the Police, Healthcare institutions and if the information is marketable - it could be available to numerous corporations and groups who have the money to pay for it!
The many categories of registered fact - John sited 51 proposed on current ID card.
Outlining the nature of social control behind ID card introduction - control will be economic, social and political!
What could be the result of their introduction - big companies won't touch you without an ID card - could affect employment, credit, benefits.
Civil death - the Home Secretary will have the power to take away your ID card.
Introduction of ID cards in other parts of Europe were discussed - elsewhere there is less of an element of social control than that planned in the UK. John also brought up the point that in Holland, where ID cards do exist, 50,000 ID card fines have already been handed out, most of them to children aged 14/15.
The number of stops and searches will increase!
Different arguments used against ID cards were also discussed.
The chaos around biometrics was disccussed - there are currently 13 different means proposed - the cock-up of the brown eyes failure for identification was mentioned. The reason why so many ways to identify a person are being proposed, is to get round some of these failures.
The key argument being used to promote ID cards is that they will combat Identity Fraud, but Microsoft have said that rather than combat identify fraud, ID cards will actually facilitate it, and make it easier.
Our speaker talked about Northern Ireland, and how information collected there by the British Army was misused.
Talking about how to combat - the Poll tax and stragegies fighting that were discussed. As the poll tax introduction got closer - everyone wanted to know about it.
There is talk of introducting a two tier system of ID cards, where a cheaper £30 card will be available, but you'll have to pay this every time it's renewed, ie. every time you change address.
The significant costs incurred by the public were discussed.
What are the consequences of ID cards - WIDER COLLECTION OF DATA ON US.
The example of Oxford Council pledging there commitment that no employer connected with them will take up ID cards! A significant example, and blueprint for other councils?
Pressure for junior ID cards.
Social control - won't be able to receive NHS treatment without your ID card.
Fighting ID cards is about reclaiming our Lives.
.............. end talk
DISCUSSION CONTENT:
Focus on our experiences of social control, what would happen if we lost the ID card, fines, linking up to other technology being used for social control.
What next - Press release (see sister thread)
Rotating meetings - Burnley, Nelson, Colne.
Linking with other groups Against ID, broadening campaign.
Learning lessons from fighting the Poll Tax.
Film showings with projector at Burnley Methodists
Next meeting date - Thursday, 10th November 2005, starts 7pm/Burnley Methodists/adjacent to Town Hall. ALL WELCOME
Many many thanks to our great speaker John (we'll have him back lots!! and Fred our superb chair who stepped in at the last minute, with great humour as always).
Cheers Mitch
PS. Note to Chair - Fred if I've missed anything do add it on, or any thoughts/ideas you had.
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