Stop the Database State

Thanks again to Helen for typing up the minutes!

Manchester NO2ID meeting, Wednesday 15th April 2009, 7pm-9pm at the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester.

Summary of Actions

ACTION: Matt to find out about Manchester Airport and local area by-laws.

ACTION: Dave to upload airport flyer PDF to the Manchester NO2ID website.

ACTION: Sarah and Dave to organize a screening of “The Lives of Others” – perhaps with the German Society.

ACTION: Sarah to contact the Lancashire branch of the Women’s Institute.

ACTION: Barry to provide more details about the May Day activities.

The contents of the recent NO2ID newsletters were discussed, and the minutes of the last meeting (18th March 2009) were approved.

April Street Stall

The weather was good for once (no April showers) but slightly breezy. We should try having fewer people present to man the stall, and more people flyering - potential signers may be intimidated or put off by having more than three or four people there.

Thanks to Dave, Matt, Olly, Barry, Matt, Eileen, Andrew and Helen forhelping out.

Subvurt – The CCTV Cabaret

On Tuesday 14th April, the Loiterers Resistance Movement (LRM) hosted an evening of fun and music at the Britons Protection pub in Manchester. NO2ID, No Borders, and others were present, but sadly, Dave was unable to attend. Thanks to Rachael for giving a speech on behalf of Manchester NO2ID.

Bank Account

This is still work-in-progress. Matt has finished the Constitution needed by the bank. However, he is unable to be Treasurer of Manchester NO2ID due to work commitments. If anyone with a half-decent credit rating (difficult these days, we know) wishes to be our Treasurer, please contact Dave on manchester@no2id.net

Manchester Airport

We would like to remind everyone that airside workers are to be issued with compulsory ID cards this October. This means that any airside worker who refuses an ID card will lose his or her job.

However, the local airport workers’ unions do not appear to be concerned about ID cards. Christina Zaba, NO2ID’s Union Liaison Officer, is planning on holding a meeting between NO2ID and local trades unions in Manchester sometime soon (details tbc).

We are also planning a flyering session at Manchester Airport (provisionally on Saturday 25th April 2009 – this Saturday). Other options include targetting Wythenshawe itself.

ACTION: Matt to find out about Manchester Airport and local area by-laws.

ACTION: Dave to upload airport flyer PDF to the Manchester NO2ID website.

Students Against ID (SAID)

SAID is planning on buying a film projector. This will make film screenings at the Students’ Union – or at other locations - a lot easier.

ACTION: Sarah and Dave to organize a screening of “The Lives of Others” – perhaps with the German Society.

The SAID AGM is on Wednesday 6th May 2009 at 7:00 pm at Jabez Clegg. Executive Committee positions up for grabs are Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We can also co-opt other members onto the Committee if they wish to be involved.

If we re-register the Society with UMSU this term, we are guaranteed a stall at this September’s Freshers Fair.

We could do with investing in some publicity materials, such as: T-shirts; badges; a lightweight table (for stalls); and a gazebo (for bad weather).

Mark Thomas Comedy Show

Mark Thomas, the legendary stand-up comedian and political activist, is performing his show “It’s the Stupid Economy!” at the Dancehouse, Oxford Rd, Manchester for three nights in early June (Tuesday 2nd – Thursday 4th inclusive). Mark is anti-ID and anti-National DNA Database (NDNAD). We are hoping that Mark will kindly let us have a NO2ID stall at his gig for at least one evening.

Mark will also be playing Warrington on Friday 1st May. We're looking for about 5 volunteers for each gig; please contact Dave on north.west@no2id.net if you're interested.

Any Other Business

ACTION: Sarah to contact the Lancashire branch of the Women’s Institute.

The LGBT NUS Conference motion against ID cards is likely to be passed.

Sir Alec Jeffries, who discovered the technique of DNA fingerprinting in 1984, appears to be extremely concerned about privacy, security and identity issues surrounding the NDNAD. If Sir Alec is concerned, we all should be.

Barry mentioned the May Day marches on 4th June, called by the TUC to oppose the BNP. We agreed that as a non-partisan organisation it would be wrong for us to attend the march; by comparison, the Labour Party conference march we attended was specifically called on a theme of Defend Civil Liberties. However, we might consider a stall at the rally in Castlefield, since there will be activists from many anti-ID organisations there.

ACTION: Barry to provide more details about the May Day activities.

Upcoming Events

Flyering at Manchester Airport, Saturday 25th April 2009 (provisional).

Mark Thomas gig, 1st May 2009, Warrington

May Day rally, 4th May 2009, afternoon, Castlefield (details TBC)

SAID AGM Wednesday 6th May 2009, 7pm, Jabez Clegg, off Oxford Rd, Manchester.

Street Stall, Saturday 9th May 2009, 2pm-4pm, St Ann’s Square, Manchester.

Monthly Meeting, Wednesday 13th May 2009, 7pm-9pm, Town Hall Tavern, Manchester.

Mark Thomas gigs. Tuesday 2nd June – Thursday 4th June 2009, Dancehouse theater, Manchester