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DESCRIPTION:Alameda residents angry about what they say is their city’s illegal and 
 bullying behavior, plan to attend and speak out at the Alameda City Council 
 meeting on Tuesday April 3rd at 7pm at 2263 Santa Clara Ave.\n\nChristopher 
 Rabe, a 39-year resident of Alameda and father of two was arrested on 
 Thursday, March 29th at 10:30am after peacefully standing in the way of 
 Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) meter installers outside his apartment 
 complex on Pacific St. \n\nRabe was held in Oakland Jail for 10 hours, and 
 released after posting bail. He is being charged with 498(B)(2) (theft by 
 meter tampering) despite the fact that clearly his intent was to prevent 
 the smart meter installation, and represent the other apartment complex 
 residents in refusing the meters, not steal power from the utility.\n\nMr 
 Rabe is well-known to AMP—not only has he written the utility, attended 
 meetings and even spoke in front of City Council, he has blocked access to 
 meter installation on the property before.  Previously when the police were 
 called, the meter installers were told (correctly) that Mr Rabe was within 
 his right to block their access on this private property. Specifically, a 
 previous incident report from September 13th, 2017 stated: \n\n“(AMP) 
 reported on blocking him from working on meters at the listed address. 
 (Rabe) was uncooperative and would not move. (AMP) was advised (Rabe) was 
 on private property and no crime had been committed and this issue was a 
 civil matter…”\n\nThis time, Chris was arrested under what many are 
 calling false pretenses of stealing electricity.  His neighbors and 
 supporters are asking why.\n\nSeven of the 12 other residents had 
 authorized Chris in writing to refuse the installation of radiation meters 
 on their behalf, as they were at work.  While Chris was being detained, 5 
 radiating meters were installed.\n\nThe entire bank of 13 meters is 
 situated on the wall of his children’s bedroom and he is concerned that 
 the radiation pulsing from the new meters will make them sick.  He has 
 taken readings before and after the meter installation and now records 
 radiation levels well above those that cause health damage, in 
 peer-reviewed studies.\n\nChris and fellow members of Alamedans for Safe 
 Energy plan to attend the City Council meeting on April 3rd to insist on an 
 investigation into what they deem an illegal arrest. Contrary to what 
 Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) claims, regardless of any “opt out” 
 program, residents have the fundamental legal right to decide what 
 technology they allow on their homes, and to live free of coercion and opt 
 out fee extortion. Utility easements—which allow for reading and 
 maintenance of a utility meter—do not permit the installation of 
 electronic “smart meters,” deemed by many experts to be a serious 
 threat to health, safety and privacy.\n\nThe March 29th arrest of Rabe 
 follows the disconnection of electricity at the home of Tony Brasunas, an 
 Alameda resident refusing to pay what he considers an unjust opt out fee to 
 keep the safer analog on his home. Brasunas’ wife and 1 year old were 
 startled when the power suddenly turned off last Tuesday in the midst of a 
 cold day. A call to the utility led to the power being switched back 
 on.\n\nJosh Hart, Director of Northern California based Stop Smart Meters! 
 spoke at an event at the Home of Truth in Alameda on March 19th, invited by 
 Alameda Safe Energy, a group founded in October 2017 to organize and oppose 
 deployment of a network of radiation-pulsing meters on the island. In 
 response to the subsequent arrest, Hart stated:\n\n“Individuals and 
 communities have a right to say no to a technology that has been linked to 
 cancer, surveillance, overcharging and fires. Our families have a right to 
 be safe in our homes and in our communities. PG&E is not out on the streets 
 disconnecting people who justifiably refuse to pay their opt out fees, but 
 the City of Alameda is not only disconnecting its own residents, but 
 apparently now arresting them - simply for making a choice.”\n\nLocal 
 analog advocates point out that if residents of apartment buildings, who 
 typically have a bank of meters on one wall, do not have a real “opt 
 out” option, then no one in Alameda does.\n\nThose opposed to smart meter 
 technology insist that no energy provider has the right to force a device 
 onto people’s homes, and into their communities against their will. 
 So-called “smart” meters are devices that emit high levels of radiation 
 that the World Health Organization (and most recently the National 
 Toxicology Program) has linked to cancer. They also are used by police 
 departments to surveil residents, and are linked to a series of home fires 
 and have been subject to a series of major safety recalls.\n\nMore 
 information can be found at www.alamedasafeenergy.org and 
 www.stopsmartmeters.org\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/04/02/18808159.php
SUMMARY:Stop Smart Meters Direct Action!
LOCATION:Alameda City Hall 2263 Santa Clara Ave. 94501
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2018/04/02/18808159.php
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