PROTEST VERIZON'S CORPORATE INCURSION INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ON MAY 2ND, @ VERIZON WIRELESS ON LAKESHORE!

We have the Right and the Power to Protect our Communities from Reckless Development and Corporate Greed!

 

 When:  Saturday May 2nd 11:00 am  to ~ 1:30

 Where:  Gather at Eastshore Park on Lake Merritt @ Lakeshore Avenue, and then we'll march up Lakeshore to the Verizon Wireless store @ 3275 Lakeshore Avenue Ave Oakland 

 

Purpose:  We will protest at the Verizon Wireless store, leaflet, ask for signatures for our petition to oppose the cell installation in our neighborhood,  let the people of Oakland know about Verizon's aggressive, unhealthy and undemocratic invasion of our neighborhoods.  All of our communities are at risk from Telecom companies planting risky cell antennas in our residential neighborhoods for their corporate profits.  We the People of Oakland can fight back! 

California Medical Association Calls for Stronger Wireless Communication Safety Standards

This article was found at Professor Joel Moskowitz' site, saferemr.com.  The Elephant in the Room that thanks to Telecom lobbying cannot be  mentioned:  evidence of biological effects of low frequency electro-magnetic radiation....So why O why is our City ushering these companies in and not protecting us?!  Our representatives should be protecting and defending citizens, yet corporations are given free reign....

Monday, April 13, 2015

California Medical Association Calls for Stronger Wireless Communication Safety Standards

Monday, April 13, 2015

California Medical Association Calls for Stronger Wireless Communication Safety Standards

The California Medical Association (CMA) adopted a resolution that calls for re-evaluation of the safety standards for wireless communications in the U.S.

The Federal safety standards for wireless communications were designed to protect humans from the heating, or thermal, risks caused by exposure to microwave radiation. However, thousands of peer-reviewed studies have found bio-effects from exposure to low intensity, non-thermal levels of microwave radiation. Moreover, three independent, case-control studies have found a two-fold increased risk of brain cancer among adults who have used cell phones for ten or more years. And one study found a three-fold risk of brain cancer after 25 years of cell phone and cordless phone use.

In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that radio frequency energy is "possibly carcinogenic to humans", largely based upon the cell phone research.

The CMA’s “Wireless Communications Public Safety Standards Reevaluation” resolution “supports efforts to reevaluate microwave safety exposure levels associated with wireless communication devices, including consideration of adverse non-thermal biologic and health effects from non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation used in wireless communications.” In addition, the CMA “supports efforts to implement new safety exposure limits for wireless devices to levels that do not cause human or environmental harm based on scientific research.”

The CMA House of Delegates and Board of Trustees adopted the resolution, number 107-14, on December 7, 2014.  Cindy Lee Russell, M.D. introduced the resolution which she co-authored along with Ken Yew, M.D.

According to Dr. Russell:

"Physicians and scientists have recognized for years the dangers of ionizing radiation from x rays and nuclear weapons. Tissue is directly damaged causing cancer and a wide range of other health effects. The non ionizing microwave radiation from  wi fi routers, ipads, cell phones and cell towers has been thought to be harmless until the last few decades as a rapidly growing body of peer reviewed research has shown very troubling biological and health effects from even low levels of exposure. The studies have shown negative effects on cell structures, brain function, animals, and plants. Many experts feel this is a looming public health problem as the use of wireless technology swiftly rises in our homes, offices and schools. EMF standards need to be reevalauted and designed for safety based on the biologic effects on living structures not on heat as is now currently being done."

In August, 2013, the American Academy of Pediatrics, a professional organization representing 60,000 physicians, sent a letter to the FCC and the FDA urging the FCC to adopt radiation standards that: 

"Protect children’s health and well-being ... Current FCC standards do not account for the unique vulnerability and use patterns specific to pregnant women and children. It is essential that any new standard for cell phones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded throughout their lifetimes.

Reflect current use patterns. The FCC has not assessed the standard for cell phone radiation since 1996 ... Many children, adolescents and young adults, now use cell phones as their only phone line and they begin using wireless phones at much younger ages. Pregnant women may carry their phones for many hours per day in a pocket that keeps the phone close to their uterus. Children born today will experience a longer period of exposure to radio-frequency fields from cellular phone use than will adults, because they start using cellular phones at earlier ages and will have longer lifetime exposures. FCC regulations should reflect how people are using their phones today.

 Provide meaningful consumer disclosure. The FCC has noted that it does not provide consumers with sufficient information about the RF exposure profile of individual phones to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The current metric of RF exposure available to consumers, the Specific Absorption Rate, is not an accurate predictor of actual exposure. AAP is supportive of FCC developing standards that provide consumers with the information they need to make informed choices in selecting mobile phone purchases, and to help parents to better understand any potential risks for their children. To that end, we support the use of metrics that are specific to the exposure children will experience." (http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7520941318 )

Four resolutions signed by scientific experts who have published research on wireless radiation and health in scientific journals were submitted to the FCC. The resolutions call on governments to issue stronger regulations on wireless radiation, especially cell phone radiation. The declarations were signed by 98 scientists. For more information, see “Why We Need Stronger Cell Phone Radiation Regulations--98 Scientific Experts Who Signed Resolutions at http://www.saferemr.com/2014/08/why-we-need-stronger-cell-phone_4.html.

Since 1997, twenty-two declarations have been signed by scientists and health professionals calling for stronger cell phone radiation regulations. For more information on these declarations, see http://www.magdahavas.com/international-experts-perspective-on-the-health-effects-of-electromagnetic-fields-emf-and-electromagnetic-radiation-emr/.

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Wireless Communications Safety Standards

California Medical Association (CMA) Resolution 107-14, Adopted December 7, 2014

     Resolved 1: That CMA supports efforts to reevaluate microwave safety exposure levels associated with wireless communication devices, including consideration of adverse non-thermal biologic and health effects from non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation used in wireless communications; and be it further

     Resolved 2: That CMA supports efforts to implement new safety exposure limits for wireless devices to levels that do not cause human or environmental harm based on scientific research.

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES 2014

Wireless Communications Public Safety Standards Reevaluation

Introduced by Cindy Lee Russell, M.D.

Authored by Cindy Lee Russell, M.D. Cindyleerussell@gmail.com and Ken Yew, M.D. ken_yew@yahoo.com

resolutions@cmanet.org

The CMA resolution (including 62 references) can be found on the Parents for Safe Technology web site.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING HAS BEEN POSTPONED!!

After some hard work combing through the City of Oakland Wireless Code we found an error by the Planning Department so the plan needs to be revised. (a minor victory!) So we will not present at the meeting tomorrow. 

The hearing is re-scheduled for May 6th, so PLEASE Come, mark your calendars for May 6th Wednesday at 6:00pm 

Like us on Facebook page Fight The Towers. Check out the website and listen to our interview on KPFA evening news fightthetowers.com

Planning Commission Meeting This Wednesday @ 6:00 P.M.!

Hello Neighbors, 

We are presenting arguments opposing the cell installation on Arlington Ave this Wednesday at the City of Oakland Planning Commission Hearing. We would appreciate your support! We have many good points to challenge Verizon's plan; noise analysis, intrusive location of the site, too close to existing residents, and the health effects (even though they can't base their decision on that issue). Can you come support this effort? We need people to come to the meeting. If you don't want to speak you can sign up to offer your time to our group of neighbors who have prepared questions and statements for the Planning Commission and may need extra time. We are asking the Planning Commission to postpone or halt the plan all together. Come to Oakland City Hall 2nd Floor at 6:00pm and you will see us there!

Verizon Protest & March Successful - KPFA Interviewed Us! See Link Below!

The protest today against Verizon by Golden Gate neighbors opposed to cell antennas was a success!  Our intention was to reveal Verizon's disrespect and disregard for our rights in their pursuit of profits and to encourage folks to boycott Verizon.  Many saw our signs, heard our chants, and felt our passion as we proceeded from 960 Arlington and through the Phat Beets Farmers Market, down Stanford and then on to San Pablo to 40th, and down to the Verizon Wireless store at Hollis & 40th.   We don't want these cell towers in ours, or any, residential neighborhood.  Thanks to all who participated or were here in spirit!

Serendipitously, we were also interviewed for KPFA 6:00 p.m. nightly news which aired tonight.  We did some creative editing to make sure to retain KPFA's introduction, and then cut right to the interview, which was about 12.30 in.

Here it is:  KPFA Interview About Why We're Protesting Verizon

When we gathered across the street from 960 Arlington Avenue and as neighbors & friends arrived we began, in one voice, a rousing rendition of "C'mon Tommy" to the owner of the building, Thomas McElroy, to encourage him to do the right thing and NOT sign the contract with Verizon:

"C'mon Tommy play it straight
Reject Verizon its Not too Late!!"

Other soon-to-be classics included, "Hey Verizon, Rich & Rude", We Don't Like Your Attitude!", and "Cell Antennas Are No Good, We Don't Want Them in the Neighborhood!"

Please come to the Oakland Planning Commission meeting this Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.  Lets continue to make our voices heard!

March and Protest today April 11th

Come join us  Saturday for a Protest and march!

 When:  Saturday April 11th gather at 10:00 am 

 Where: at 960 Arlington Ave Oakland  (site of the cell installation)

We will send a message to the owner of the building Thomas McElroy, " Come on, Tommy play it straight reject Verizon it's not too late!"  

We will march to Verizon at 40th Street Emeryville.

We will leaflet and let people know about Verizon's aggressive bullying tactics.  Emeryville Verizon from 11:00 to 1:00pm

Boycott Verizon!

ART-MAKING IN PREPARATION FOR PROTEST ON APRIL 11TH AGAINST VERIZON CELL ANTENNAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

ENGAGE IN DEMOCRACY FROM THE GROUND UP!

COME JOIN US SATURDAY APRIL 11TH, @ 10:00 A.M. IN FRONT OF 960 ARLINGTON AVENUE AND MARCH TO VERIZON IN EMERYVILLE.  OUR PURPOSE IS TO INSIST THAT THE OWNER NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH VERIZON, TO EXPOSE VERIZON'S COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND TO LET THEM KNOW WE DON'T WANT THEIRS (OR ANY) CELL ANTENNAS IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.  

Several of our long-time residents live within 150 feet of the 8 planned antennas, one neighbor has lived here 60 years with her family within 25 feet of the building!  Elders and kids are particularly vulnerable to EMF/RF.  We have families on our block, and Destiny Arts is less than 1000 feet away from the proposed site where hundreds of kids attend every day.

All of our communities are at risk of telecom companies invading our neighborhoods for their corporate profits.  We have the right and the power to protect our communities from reckless development and corporate greed.

Deborah, Scott and Greg Making Art!

Deborah with the Music Studio in the Background

Update on April 1st Community Meeting

This is our neighborhood not Verizon's

The Community Meeting happened last night at Downs Memorial United Church.  We thank all of you who made it, I estimate 35 to 40 neighbors were in attendance.  Maria Kim the consultant for Verizon, Bill Hammett "RF expert" and engineer, Jason Madani Oakland City Planner and Radha Sharma from the Verizon Network Management team where also in attendance.  We took this opportunity to allow community members to speak, ask questions and confront Verizon officials on what is an unwanted intrusion into our neighborhood. We  hope that Verizon will see that this is the wrong place for a Macro Telecommunications Facility.  (But oh, wait, corporations are people too, right?)

Congratulations to all for speaking the truth! We presented a clear voice of opposition to this project. We presented our community,  a neighborhood who cares about health, and safety.  Neighbors who have worked hard in our community to end blight, plant trees, support businesses that are compatible with our neighborhood; artists, Phat Beets Farmer's Market, Destiny Arts.  We continue to work to reign in businesses that violate noise and nuisance ordinances. We told the City Planner we are not just a "zone of mixed use business and housing" but a community of homes with people who have lived in the Golden Gate for up to fifty years.  Most importantly we do not want this facility! A Macro Telecommunications Facility would degrade our neighborhood, decrease housing values and be unsightly and unsafe.

  Keep the pressure on!

  Things You Can Do:

 1.  Write the owner of the building Thomas D McElroy.  Tell him it's a bad deal and why.  Visit the link on the right side-bar under RESOURCES to send him an e-mail.

  2. Come out this Saturday April 4th.   Sign making party from 1:00  to 3:00 pm outside at 975 Arlington.  Art supplies will be provided. This will be fun!

3. Picket the Verizon store in Emeryville  Saturday April 11th  We will March to the store on 40th street from 960 Arlington Ave starting at 10:00 am. Come a little early.  Once at the Verizon store we will leaflet and tell folks Verizon is invading the Golden Gate, and we won't take it!  Cell Antennas Make Bad Neighbors! (Meet us there if you can't make the march) 

4.  Come out to the Planning Commission Hearing April 15th Wednesday at 6:00pm, second floor Oakland City Hall.

 Keep checking in at the website for more updates! It really takes all of us to keep our communities safe and in our hands not Verizon's

See you soon!

Deborah