5G an 'unknown threat' to our lives say protestors in Skegness

The group from around the area close STOP5G International global protest day to come together in an effort to support, encourage and help grow the counter-5G movement internationally, as well as to encourage public participation in envisioning and ensuring a future that respects and protects all life.

About half a dozen worried residents waved banners stating 'Say NO to 5G' outside the Hildreds Centre, chatting to shoppers as they passed by.

For most people living in the area, the introduction of 5G will mean better mobile signal - . and Digital Minister and Boston and Skegness MP spoke of the benefits for businesses and holidaymakers with speeds up to 20 times faster than 4G when he saw saw 5G technology in action at Butlins in September last year.

However, according to protestors, concern about the unknown affects on health is growing..

A global appeal to the UN, WHO, EU, Council of Europe and governments of all nations - 'Stop 5G on Earth and in Space' - has been signed by 96,184 signatories from 204 nations claims it will revolutonise the way we live.

The letter states: "We will have “smart” homes, “smart” businesses, “smart” highways, “smart” cities and self-driving cars.

"Virtually everything we own and buy, from refrigerators and washing machines to milk cartons, hairbrushes and infants’ diapers, will contain antennas and microchips and will be connected wirelessly to the Internet.

"Every person on Earth will have instant access to super-high-speed, low- latency wireless communications from any point on the planet, even in rainforests, mid-ocean and the Antarctic.

"What is not widely acknowledged is that this will also result in unprecedented environmental change on a global scale.

"The planned density of radio frequency transmitters is impossible to envisage. In addition to millions of new 5G base stations on Earth and 20,000 new satellites in space, 200 billion transmitting objects, according to estimates, will be part of the Internet of Things by 2020, and one trillion objects a few years later."

Donna Brown, who was one of the protestors in Skegness and is planning a door-to-door petition, says she has already taken WI-FI how of her home.

"I was suffering sleepless nights and headaches and couldn't work out why," she said. "Once I took Wi-Fi out of my home the headaches stopped and I slept like a baby.

"What we are trying to do is raise awareness, because we just don't know what the effects of 5G will be - or how it will affect us when there is a mast outside everyone's homes

"Not to mention how it will affect the High Street when people can place orders online wherever they are - even from the top of a mountain."

However, Mr Warman says there is 'no compelling evidence to back up concerns about 5G'. He said: “We (the Government) are investing £200 million in 5G across the country and, in Ingoldmells, it’s helped bring 5G to the Great British institution that is Butlins.

“Testbeds like this one are exploring how 5G can boost Britain’s brilliant tourism experiences and help holidaymakers benefit from speeds up to 20 times faster than 4G.

"Safety is always going to be paramount when we roll out new technologies and innovations, however there is currently no compelling evidence to back up concerns about 5G.

"We want to support work that will bust health myths over 5G and provide evidence based reassurance to the public. The benefits of 5G are huge - both to people's everyday lives and to the economy.”

GOVERNMENT DIGITAL FACTFILE

1) There is no compelling evidence for any increased concern about 5G roll-out compared to WiFi, 3G or 4G and there are well established limits for radio equipment within which any new kit must operate. These limits are acknowledged by Public Health England in the UK and the World Health Organisation.

2) Having already written to Newry, Mourne and Down, Matt Warman will write to all planning authorities setting out the government’s commitment to gigabit-capable networks such as 5G, the economic benefits of roll-out, the stringent safety guidelines, and also to make the key point that only objections with legitimate grounds and evidence should prevent planning permission from being granted.

3) The minister will also hold a cross-government meeting, including the Chief Scientific Adviser, PHE and Ofcom, to make sure government messaging is clear and grounded in evidence, and addresses concerns people have.

4) The Government has also launched a consultation on proposals to simplify planning rules to improve rural mobile coverage. Including changing the permitted height of new masts to deliver better mobile coverage, promote mast sharing and minimise the need to build more infrastructure.

For more information about 5GRIT please visit www.5grit.co.uk.