Written and distributed by Steve Wallis
I handed out the following leaflet in March 2003, at the height of the anti-war movement. I tried to organise a meeting then, because my socialist alliance (South Manchester) and the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association were due to discuss the issue shortly before then. I wanted to start the ball rolling to establish a network of groups across the UK in opposition to ID cards (which I decided to call the “Anti-ID Cards Network”). Nobody except for myself turned up, but I publicised a mailing list on the internet on the leaflet to discuss the issue of ID cards (which I have mainly used to post my views on other issues, because not much has been happening on the issue of ID cards until recently and left-wingers interested in one subject are generally interested in others).
Below is the text on the back of the leaflet advertising the launch meeting of the Anti-ID Cards Network:
Stop ID cards
The
ID cards would probably be required to work, use the banking or health system, vote, buy a house, receive benefits, drive or travel abroad. They may also be required to be shown whenever a football fan attends a match. It may not be required to show an ID card on demand to the police at first, but this could change once the ID cards are in place.
ID cards would fail to significantly combat crime or ‘terrorism’ since criminals would easily be able to forge the cards or obtain ID cards for other people illegally. The real purpose is to increase the surveillance of socialists and other left-wing activists.
Massive resistance forced the Australian government to abandon plans for ID cards in 1987 – we can do the same here!
Join the Anti-ID Cards
Network
The launch meeting of the Anti-ID Cards Network has been called by Steve Wallis, a leading campaigner against ID cards. Steve has already encouraged socialist organisations and anti-war groups to pass resolutions opposing ID cards. The Network will hold regular meetings, and encourage other left-wing organisations to affiliate. All meetings will be open to delegates of such organisations and other individuals who want to oppose ID cards.
If ID cards are introduced, the Anti-ID Cards Network will encourage active defiance of the law, e.g. by supporting people who refuse to carry ID cards.
Come to
the meeting or join the internet discussion list (see overleaf) to get
involved. You can also contact us by writing to: Steve Wallis, Flat 12, The
Deansgate,