Berkeley Non Violent Protests Against Wireless Antennas
A local group, Wireless Radiation and Defense (WiRED) is pushing for amendments to the cell tower and cell antenna laws to better protect the public. They have launched non violent protests against installations.
The protest have been covered in the press by Berkeleyside
“It may have something to do with a small but dedicated group of local residents who are opposed to wireless cell technology, primarily for what they consider health reasons. These Berkeley residents closely monitor the sites where work is proposed and as soon as they see workers approaching, they send out texts and emails calling on fellow activists to show up. Then they picket the site (fully masked, these days), chant, hold vigils and try and make it difficult for workers to do their jobs. They even sit on the poles to block access.”
“We’ve been protecting this pole for six months,” said Elizabeth Starr, who has been protesting at the 1321 Gilman site. “We don’t want the radiation here, it’s so harmful.”
Starr, and many of the other protesters, are members of Wired, a Berkeley anti-wireless group leading the actions, which they call nonviolent civil disobedience. And so far, they seem to have an impact.”
-Berkeleyside, Construction of new 5G cell sites blocked by Berkeley protesters — for now
WiRED Press Release: Making and Breaking Laws in Berkeley
The Berkeley City Council adopted new telecom laws last month. A local group, Wireless Radiation and Defense (WiRED), had long lobbied for strong laws. Their attorney helped make the laws stronger than they were, but they are weaker than in other cities, so WiRED is pushing for amendments.Meanwhile, elders join neighbors in risking arrest via non-violent civil disobedience to stop scheduled installation of 5G ready cell antennas this week. Installation is planned at Monterey Market Tuesday through Thursday and at 1321 Gilman Street Wednesday through Friday. Another antenna may soon be installed near the entrance of the BUSD building on Bonar St. Lloyd Morgan, age 78, is first in line for occupying the antenna site. He is a retired electronic engineer who has been working on the risks of radio frequency radiation since 1991 when he survived a grand mal seizure that his neurologist told him was likely caused by RF radiation. He has published peer-reviewed studies on that topic.Federal Communications Commission regulations were written by telecom industry lobbyists. The FCC forbids city officials from basing local regulations on environmental or health factors. Over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies prove that exposure to electro-magnetic radiation emitted by cell antennas can cause severe health problems. The Environmental Health Trust website has links to studies. Property values plummet near cell antennas, and nearby businesses suffer. 5G is highly vulnerable to data-mining, hacking, and surveillance. It harms pollinators, poses fire dangers, and interferes with weather predictions.WiRED co-founder Phoebe Sorgen and treasurer/facilitator Meave O’Connor, will take Mr. Morgan’s place if he is arrested. Since City staff feel that they are handcuffed by the FCC, Berkeley residents are taking matters into their own hands and are actually risking being hand-cuffed and jailed, despite the Covid-19 risk. An additional thirteen “small” antennas have been approved in Berkeley, some near schools and in front of the Elmwood Convalescent home near the original Berkeley Bowl. Antennas are also planned for the roofs of HUD senior housing such as the Lawrence Moore Manor on Cedar Street.contact Phoebe Sorgen
