Maryland Coalition Press Conference Calling for Halt to Construction of Cell Towers on Md School Playgrounds

Update 2/23/14:  Our supporters are growing and so our name has changed!  We are now the Maryland Coalition.

Tri-County Maryland Coalition to Halt Cell Towers at Schools 

Press Conference

Tuesday, September 23, 2014 - 6 PM

14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Organizations from maryland counties AND BALTIMORE CITY have formed a coalition to call for a halt to the construction of cell towers on public school playgrounds

Upper Marlboro, MD –Organizations from Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George's County have joined together to form a coalition to call for the immediate halt to the construction of cell towers on public school playgrounds. The newly formed Maryland Coalition will hold a press conference on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at 6 PM on the steps of the Prince George's County Board of Education, 14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland to announce the formation of the coalition and present the coalition's goals.

The following organizations and individuals have joined together to form the Maryland Coalition:

• AACo Acts (Anne Arundel County Against Cell Towers at Schools)
• Anne Arundel County NAACP
• Belvedere Assisted Living & Real Care Providers Network, Baltimore
• Broadneck Community Against Cell Towers at Our Schools, Anne Arundel County
• Campfield AME Church, Pikesville
• Citizens Against a Cell Tower at Julius West Middle School, Rockville 
• Coalition of Central Prince George's County Community Organizations
• Liberty Pride Volunteer Training Academy, Baltimore
• Liberty Rec and Tech Center, Baltimore
• Maryland Smart Meter Awareness
• The Intersection, Baltimore
• The Men and Family Center, Baltimore
• The Committee of Concerned Citizens, Baltimore
• Montgomery County NAACP
• Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland
• Prince George's County NAACP
• Resurrection Ministries, Baltimore
• The Roots of Scouting, Baltimore
• Safe Schools Prince George's
• Kim Trueheart, Activist, Baltimore City
• West End Citizens Association, Rockville
• Westport Improvement Association, Baltimore
• Youth Volunteer Council of Greater Baltimore – Baltimore City
• Youth Volunteer Council of Greater Baltimore – Baltimore County

The Maryland Coalition is raising the following concerns about cell tower construction projects at Maryland schools:

• Lack of transparency and community involvement in the decision making process.
• Safety Issues from the industrial machinery: fires, tower collapse, and worker accidents.
• Environmental Issues such as paving over green space and cutting down trees.
• Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) such as diesel fuel and lead acid batteries on school grounds.
• Increased carcinogenic air pollution: Diesel generator exhaust and biocides.
• Health issues related to daily long term exposure to microwave radiation.

The Maryland Coalition believes that cell towers are a bad investment for our children. We call for an immediate halt to cell tower construction at Maryland schools.

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