Salt Lake City man chains himself to protest new 5G tower
Apr 20, 2020, 6:49 PM | Updated: 7:18 pm
(David Schutt, sitting on the structure where the tower was eventually placed. Credit: Paul Nelson)
(David Schutt, sitting on the structure where the tower was eventually placed. Credit: Paul Nelson)
SALT LAKE CITY – A downtown resident chains himself to a structure to protest the placement of a new 5G tower going up in his neighborhood. He believes people living in the area weren’t given enough of an opportunity to voice their concerns. However, not all of his neighbors have his back.
To be clear, David Schutt is not claiming 5G towers spread COVID-19. He says he has never believed that particular theory. Still, he doesn’t believe these towers are necessarily safe to be around.
Schutt says, “These 5G towers, they’re emitting the same frequencies as a microwave. We all know we don’t want to stand in front of our microwave for a long amount of time.”
(Credit: Paul Nelson)
Schutt chained his wrist to the base of where this new tower was supposed to be erected. While there, he was surrounded by supporters who agree the tower shouldn’t go there. Eventually, Schutt cut himself free after police told him they could have removed him by force. Crews were able to place the tower and fill the hole at the base, but, Schutt was there all the while, reportedly shouting at them through his megaphone.
While Schutt doesn’t believe the 5G tower would spread coronavirus, he is concerned about the amount of electricity being used to power it, and whether or not the technology is being used by foreign actors in bad ways.
“These are concerns that should be addressed, at some point,” Schutt says. “It something that not only affects our city aesthetic, but it affects our health. Neighbors have a right to their right of way and the quiet enjoyment of streets.”
His main concern is that of public oversight. He claims that Salt Lake City officials held meetings about this 5G tower during the COVID-19 shutdown, and many people weren’t allowed to push back against it.
He says, “They approved the permit for this particular corner, I believe it was six days ago, they said.”
Some of his neighbors don’t see it that way. They tell KSL the plans for new towers had been in the works for months. Some residents say they don’t necessarily want the tower there, either, but, they believe it has to go somewhere.
One says, “The fact is, it went through the proper channels to be put in. Unfortunately, these guys should have those channels to stop it. This [protest] isn’t going to work.”
Another says, “He should have attended a community council meeting when we talked about it three and four and five months ago.”
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How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus
COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
- If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
- Get a flu shot.
Resources for more information:
LOCAL:
State of Utah: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
National Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization
