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*Event* Is there more to freedom than "civil liberties"?IS THERE MORE TO FREEDOM THAN “CIVIL LIBERTIES”? Speaker: Josie Appleton, convenor of the Manifesto Club Thousands are gathering across the UK to attend the Convention on Modern Liberty, an important event discussing the state of freedom and civil liberties today. Concerns range from the expansion of the ‘database-state’ and increased power to share personal information, to the imminent introduction of ID cards and the pragmatic misuse of anti-terror legislation. Justice Secretary Jack Straw argues that the idea there is a groundswell of concern is not supported by communication with his constituents. Many people, he says, will welcome the “freedom to live without fear in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect”. Indeed some say restrictions on our liberties should go even further: ex-London Mayor Ken Livingstone has recently argued that “luxuries” such as flying and even eating meat should now be rationed in order to secure our planet from global warming. • Is Britain “sleepwalking into a surveillance state”, or are our freedoms protected by the Human Rights Act? Venue: The Ship Pub (Top Floor), Holborn, London WC2A 3HP Suggested Readings: Jack Straw. Our record isn't perfect. But talk of a police state is daft. Henry Porter. Yesterday saw the birth of a great movement for liberty. Suzanne Moore. Joni Mitchell was right, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Josie Appleton. The Manifesto Club: History is still young. Marcel Berlins. Our liberties need more than a bill of rights. Tim Black. After the convention, what next for liberty? Ken Livingstone et al Podcast: “Can we save the planet and keep our freedoms?”
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