National Association for Children and Safe Technology
Dr. Anthony Miller is a Senior Scientist to the International Agency for the Research on Cancer. We hope every parent watches his testimony. He states that the evidence of cancer risk has increased since 2011.
Steps You Can Take
1. Gather Information
What companies are involved? Who is leasing the space? Who are the decision makers?
2. Understand the Issue
Cell Towers can galvanize people who have concerns about several different issues including:
Lowered property values: Can you imagine looking up at the sky and seeing a cell tower in your landscape? Even disguised as trees they are ugly.
Health issues related to the radiation: No proof of safety exists. Several studies have shown increased cancer risks in people living close to cell towers.
Safety issues: Workers will be going in and out of the area. Background checks are often not required. Cell towers have caught on fire. They are run with high power electrical lines. Workers fall from cell towers. Cell towers fall. Accidents happen. Many cell towers are built on school grounds near ball parks and playgrounds. This does not make sense from a safety standpoint.
Birds: Indeed, many groups have successfully stopped cell towers based on the potential impacts to bird migratory patterns and bird health.
3. Organize
Hand out flyers to parents. Get the PTA involved. Start speaking to local homeowners associations so they can understand this issue. Everyone has a stake in this. The only entity gaining anything here is the cell tower company. Should schools be commercial enterprises? It is important to get as many members of the community involved as possible. Their concerns will be different but they will all share the same goal.
4. Start Writing
Letters must be written and sent to the decision makers. Be sure to CC your local government such as your state delegates, your senator and the superintendent of schools. Have an email list prepared so that concerned citizens can cut and paste that list to send off their emails. Also, prepare a list of addresses and names so that real letters can be sent out. A letter writing campaign is a cornerstone of such actions. Let your voice be heard!
5. Start Speaking
Go to school board meetings and use your three minutes. Bring a group of concerned citizens. Some of us have never spoken in public before. Help them prepare remarks. Show your strength in numbers. Let your voice be heard!
6. Keep the Community Updated
Concerned citizens need to stay updated on the situation. You could start a webpage, a listserve and/or a Facebook page to send out action alerts and post updates as the decision making process unfolds.
7. Reach Out to the Media
Reach out to your local newpaper,, TV stations and journalists. Get them information and tell them about your concerns so that they can cover this issue and reach a larger audience.
Taking Action On Cell Towers
Articles
Feds to Look Harder at Cell Carriers When Tower Climbers Die.
Bowie parents concerned county is “Celling Out” children’s health
Frontline Report On Tower Injuries
After protests, Fairfield Grace Church Pulls Plug On Plan For Cell Tower
Cell Tower Catches Fire
School Board gives Superintendent Cell Tower Power
Cell Tower Proposal Withdrawn
Cell tower sparks controversy in northeast Albuquerque
Cell Tower Fall Kills Man