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The Governor has officially issued a veto for both SB-556 and AB-537. This outcome validates our collective commitment to public safety and local control. I am grateful for your contributions to this effort and we must remain vigilant regarding future policy proposals of this nature.

November 9, 2021

Governor Newsom: VETO SB-556 & AB-537

Governor Newsom: VETO SB-556 & AB-537

🏆 Won — 2,883 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Cristina M.
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Donna c.
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Anne M.
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David S.
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Alex B.
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Randy T.
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Daniela G.
+2,873 more
AR
Started by Americans for Responsible Technology 5 years ago

Dear Governor Newsom,

We respectfully request that you veto two bills currently awaiting your signature: Senate Bill SB-556 (Dodd) and Assembly Bill AB-537 (Quirk). These bills do not serve the interests of Californians for the following reasons:

1. Both bills will speed the deployment of tens of thousands of powerful new wireless antennas, many placed in close proximity to homes and apartments. The antennas will emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation 24/7, exposing everyone within the area, whether they use the service or not.

2. New studies demonstrate that the FCC’s long outdated exposure guidelines for RF radiation are inadequate to protect the public, particularly children. Now a federal court has ordered the FCC to re-evaluate those guidelines in the light of new science. This is the wrong time to be increasing everyone’s exposure to RF radiation so that telecoms can increase their profits.

3. These bills will not close the digital divide. The purpose of 5G is to provide data and video streaming services to customers who can pay for it; those in underserved and minority communities are less likely to sign up for expensive monthly plans or video packages.

4. Both bills take away local control at a time when it’s never been more critical. Local officials know their communities best and can best ensure that the placement and construction of antennas does not endanger public health and safety, or create a fire hazard.

5. Wired (fiber-optic) connections are faster, more affordable, future-proof, more reliable, more secure, and completely safe compared to wireless. Community-owned fiber is the key to our broadband future.

(signed)

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PLEASE NOTE: Contributions made to iPetitions.com do not go to Americans for Responsible Technology. To make a contribution to support our work, please visit: https://www.americansforresponsibletech.org/contri...

Updates

September 29, 2021

The petition has now surpassed 2,500 signatures. This level of participation sends a clear signal to the Governor regarding the concerns surrounding these wireless infrastructure bills.

Reached 2,500 supporters

September 27, 2021

September 18, 2021

The momentum behind this petition continues to grow as more residents recognize the significant implications of these bills. Your collective engagement demonstrates a clear demand for greater caution regarding public exposure to wireless infrastructure.

September 11, 2021

The petition has surpassed one thousand signatures. This milestone confirms that many Californians share our concerns regarding the expansion of radiofrequency infrastructure.

Reached 1,000 supporters

September 10, 2021

Reached 100 supporters

September 9, 2021

11 Comments

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Michael Phillips
5 years ago Featured

Governor Newsom, Follow the Science. You're doing that in establishing Covid protection/mandates for California so Follow the Science by vetoing these two bills. You will have science on your side. Hundreds of scientific peer reviewed studies prove that wireless technology (especially 5G) damages cells in the human body. Telecom companies have studied how non-ionizing radiation effects the human body and they refuse to study this. Don't let telecom companies bamboozle you. Be the smart one in the room and veto these two bills. You will be on the right side of science and history.

K
Kim Hahn
5 years ago Featured

Governor Newsom, I am voting against your recall because there is not a single candidate who has more experience than you. I have spent hours this week phone banking Democrats to remind them to send in their ballots and to vote. Please spend some time yourself checking out the advantages of fiber optic technology. Yes it may cost more to install initially, but in the long run - just as we hope your governorship will be, i.e. a very LONG RUN - it will be cost effective. It will also be faster and cleaner and much healthier than overhead broadband, especially 5G and subsequent "G's" that will spray wireless radiation into our living environment and endanger the health of everyone, especially children and the elderly. Thank you for all you do.

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Zoe Berg
5 years ago Featured

It is imperative that local governments maintain control over the siting of wireless telecommunications equipment in public rights-of-way. SB-556 and AB-537 are complete giveaways to the telecom industry. There are plenty of good telecom bills pending in the CA State Legislature - these are not the ones to pass!

M
Margy Stewart
4 years ago Featured

Governor Newsom, There are hundreds of thousands of people who are sensitive to and who have and have had negative health effects from their exposures to wireless technology. As a constituent of yours I urge you not to sign bills that allow 5G (many times more powerful than 4G) to blanket our neighborhoods with radio Frequency radiation. it terrifies me to think I could have a cell tower just feet away from my bedroom window. Recently a federal court has ordered the FCC to re-evaluate their outdated exposure guidelines for RF radiation that are not adequate to protect the public. Please veto these bills.

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Sara Sunstein
4 years ago Featured

Governor Newsom, I am among the 1000s of people who are sensitive to RF radiation, which by the way, is considered an ADA disability. If 5G antennas move into my neighborhood, I don't know what I would do--I'd have to uproot and move to another state that is safer for my health. But as someone in my 70s who has to still be working, I don't see that as a viable option: to leave my neighborhood, friends, support system and my work. Not to mention the nearby nature which is my daily refuge. Please respect the needs of ALL Californians and veto SB-556 and AB 537. I'm counting on you! Thank you. (and congrats on winning recall by a landslide!)

M
Michael Schwaebe
4 years ago Featured

For me like thousands of EHS, the prospect of an antenna on the pole near my house elicits terror... is the reason I do the work I do as a Building Biologist. My wish is that our elected representatives, because the court has ordered the FCC to address the science documenting harm from chronic exposure below the thermal limits, would step forward and ban the installation of new antennas within 1000' of residential structures until protective limits have been established.

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Susan Jennings
4 years ago

This technology can no longer be considered safe. Are you aware that on August 13, 2021 the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit [1] ruled that the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) 2019 decision that its 1996 guidelines protect from 5G and wireless harms is capricious, arbitrary and not evidence based? The Court held that the FCC demonstrated “a complete failure to respond to comments” submitted by Environmental Health Trust (EHT) and numerous other experts demonstrating harm from current levels of microwave radiation from wireless devices and infrastructure, especially for children and the environment. While the guidelines are still in effect they cannot be considered an assurance of safety, and therefore our devices cannot be regarded as safe. The FCC’s 2019 order [2] (that was challenged in the DC Circuit case) revealed that the FCC has now admitted to adverse neurological responses from RF frequencies, including frequencies in the range emitted by “smart” meter SMPS (2-50 KHz). The symptoms referenced by the FCC are similar to the symptoms reported by people who claim to suffer adverse effects from the smart meters, including tingling, a feeling of electric shocks, sleep and cognitive problems.[3] [1] Environmental Health Trust, et al., Petitioners v. Federal Communications Commission and United States of America, Respondents, Docket No. 20-1025, Consolidated with 20-1138, (U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, August 13, 2021). https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/FB976465BF00F8BD85258730004EFDF7/$file/20-1025-1910111.pdf [2] Before the Federal Communications Commission, Resolution of Notice of Inquiry, Second Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 19-126, Adopted November 27, 2019, Released: December 4, 2019, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-126A1.pdf. [3] Ibid., p. 56-57.

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Pam Bennett
4 years ago

Governor Newsom, I voted against your recall because i know you stand up and make touch decisions that are best for people. And you have been involved with ensuring people have the right to know and make educated decisions, such as being informed to safely use cell phones. We need your support here for the right to know both of people and cities, and to make educated decisions on what is best and needed for their cities. Not to let cell phone companies take away these rights which is what SB-556 and AB-537 will do.