While the 5G rollout continues across New England, some residents in Manchester, CT are using Global Protest Day to let others know that they are not on board. The Journal Inquirer reports that the protest was organized by Ronald Vivar, who says that his group is concerned about the impact of 5G on the environment. The group aims to educate the public by handing out flyers and encouraging people to contact legislators to voice their dissent.
“This is new technology and it hasn’t been tested enough,” said Vivar. “We’re not trying to ban technology, we’re just trying to delay 5G installation until it is scientifically proven safe.” Vivar added that he would like to see revisions of both the Telecommunication Act of 1996 and the Secure 5G and Beyond Act of 2020, and said that the tone of the rally was intended to be “welcoming, enthusiastic and upbeat.”
The town of Manchester has grappled with the 5G issue before, most recently at the Board of Directors meeting in July. Information was presented to help the attendees understand the state of 5G development in their region. The density of small cells, and increased exposure to radio frequencies was a prominent topic. Charles Vidich, senior project manager for the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, said that the changing frequencies were being monitored and that yearly reports would be available to municipalities.
Scott Shanley, the General Manager of the Board of Directors, stated that Manchester “is not rolling out 5G. The industry is installing, and has been for many years, technology that is authorized by the Siting Council of the state. It is not authorized, nor do we necessarily have the authority locally to govern that.”
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