As parents, community members, and citizens, we all strive to create safe environments for our children and loved ones. Yet, one of the most fundamental rights—our ability to influence decisions about what’s safe for our neighborhoods—has been stripped away by outdated and harmful legislation. Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is one of the greatest roadblocks to protecting public health and local autonomy, and we need you to take action now.
Why This Matters
- Parents Deserve a Say: You can choose what your child eats, drinks, and watches, but you have no control over the cell tower emitting radiation just outside their school window. Section 704 makes it illegal for local governments to consider health risks when approving cell towers. Yes, illegal—even if there’s evidence of harm.
- Outdated FCC Standards: Current FCC guidelines for RF radiation safety were set in 1996, ignoring decades of scientific research that demonstrates the potential dangers of non-thermal biological effects. These include DNA damage, oxidative stress, and increased cancer risks—especially for children, whose developing bodies are more vulnerable.
- Local Voices Silenced: Communities cannot reject or demand safer alternatives for cell tower placements, even near schools, playgrounds, or homes. Section 704 overrides local control, forcing us to accept infrastructure that may endanger our families.
- Encouraging Complacency: By preventing health-based concerns, Section 704 gives telecom companies no incentive to innovate or develop safer technologies. Why would they change when the law says they don’t have to?
What Can Be Done?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is actively reviewing regulations that are outdated, harmful, or unnecessarily restrictive. Section 704 is all three. We must demand DOGE take immediate action to restore local government control and address this unconstitutional, anti-democratic regulation.
Here’s How You Can Help
Send a Message to @DOGE
Write to @DOGE (via DM on Twitter or X through their official channels) and demand that Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 be repealed or amended. https://x.com/DOGE/status/1867087144424182178
What to Say:
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- State the Issue: “Section 704 silences local governments and prevents communities from protecting themselves against potential health risks posed by cell towers.”
- Highlight the Problem: “This outdated law undermines public health, ignores decades of modern science, and strips local communities of their constitutional right to self-governance.”
- Call for Action: “DOGE must recommend repealing or amending Section 704 to restore local control, protect public health, and incentivize safer wireless technology.”
Contact Your Representatives
Urge your elected officials to support efforts to repeal or amend Section 704. Share your concerns about RF radiation risks and the importance of empowering local governments to act in their constituents’ best interests.
Raise Awareness
Share this issue with your friends, family, and community. Post on social media, talk to local leaders, and get involved in school boards or town halls. Encourage others to speak out.
Sample Message to DOGE
“Dear @DOGE,
Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is unconstitutional, outdated, and dangerous. It prevents local governments from considering health risks when approving cell towers, even when they’re near schools or homes. This law silences communities, ignores modern science, and prioritizes corporate interests over public health.
DOGE must take action to recommend repealing or amending Section 704. Restoring local control will protect our children, empower communities, and incentivize safer wireless technologies. It’s time to prioritize the health and freedoms of Americans over industry profits.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/State]”
Why Your Voice Matters
The only way we can break through decades of systemic failure is by standing together and demanding change. DOGE was created to streamline government and cut harmful, wasteful regulations. Let’s remind them that Section 704 is both harmful and wasteful—it wastes local democracy, public trust, and our health.
This is our chance to make a difference. Join the fight to repeal Section 704 and restore the rights of communities to protect themselves. Your voice can help safeguard our future. Act now!
