HSBC freeze Keep It Cash activist Debbie Hicks’ account, CBDCs Plan B Philosophical money debate

The Keep it Cash street campaign and initiative was set up in April 2022 as a response to the alarming rate at which the UK is moving towards a cashless society. The objective of Keep it Cash is to inspire and help develop a street based movement of activism in our town and cities to not only promote the use of cash more with the public, but to engage with the public more about how the financial system is changing into something dangerous and what a digital currency and economy means for them and their rights. Why are we campaigning? A digital currency, economy and digital id is a threat to us all for the future. Not only will a digital currency mean that the government and banks can track every transaction and every move you make, it also means that if linked with a social credit system, every purchase you make and every time you pay for a service your social credit and bank account could be cut according to what the government set as desirable. In a new economy based on data harvesting, this could be anything from how much meat you eat, how much alcohol you drink, how many miles you’ve done in your diesel or petrol car that contribute to carbon emissions , or it could based on what you say on social media or whether you’re a political activist that’s critical of the government. A digital economy not only is a likely tool for tyrants to control people, it is an attack on the most vulnerable in our society; the elderly, poor, disabled and self employed who rely on the use of cash. it is also an attack on jobs. Millions of jobs will go to automation, AI (artificial intelligence) and robotics. Research from the post office shows that 8 million people would struggle to live without cash and that 1.4 million do not have a bank account. Many shops and business are moving towards cashless payment systems and the announcement that from September 2022 all National Rail ticket offices will close down to be replaced by a cashless, online ticket system, is a big step towards a cashless society in the UK. However, the good news is that statistics from the Bank of England show that cash circulation has gone up since 2020 and has been rising in recent years in most countries apart from Sweden. This is because during times of economic crisis people prefer to manage their finances with cash. Objectives of the Keep it Cash Street Initiative: Promote the use of cash with the public on our ‘Keep It Cash Fridays’. Educate and inform the public as to the dangers of a cashless society. Engage with the public to build a non politically partisan understanding and break down the divisions that have developed in our communities. Inspire and help empower activist communities and groups around the country to develop new forms of activism to promote and save cash. Help develop boycott campaigns for cashless businesses. Offer support and/or advice to small or struggling cashless businesses on how to keep using cash. Create a national directory of businesses that do and don’t accept cash. Offer training on street activism and how to engage with the public.