Naming the Dead

I have just finished reading Maya Anne Evans self published book 'Naming the Dead'. Having met Maya a couple of times through friends who we both went to Uni with and at protests, both her story and her self are truly remarkable. I'm sure I remember her far more clearly than she remembers me - although I did beat her at Scrabble.

On the 25 October 2005, Maya read out the names of the dead British servicemen by the Cenotaph, facing Downing Street. She was arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (2005). On the 7th December 2005, Maya became the first person in Britain to be convicted of the new offence of 'participating in an unauthorised demonstration' in the vicinity of Parliament. As a result, she now has a criminal record, and was fined £300, which she refuses to pay.

Maya has had a further charge brought against her, as she is now held in Contempt of Court for refusing to tell the court her Date of Birth. For me, she is an inspiration: no matter how apathetic the world around her is, with it's dinner party mumblings of an unjust war, Maya has not given up, and continues to protest - even when it can have serious consequences to herself.

She is part of Justice Not War. You can purchase the book from the Website. Well, if you are worried that the Hobbesian balance between Security and Privacy is increasingly unequal then read her book. She's actually trying to change it - it's a shame more people aren't (myself included).