Byron Bay protest: Isabel Lucas speaks at anti-5G rally

The former Home And Away star, who is known for her anti-vax stance, spoke at the rally on Tuesday against plans by Telstra to install 5G in the area.

The “No 5G rally in Byron Bay” was attended by a small band of protesters with Lucas addressing the gathering to share her concerns.

“It’s very clear that there’s many people in this community that are really concerned about this 5th generation untested technology and it feels so important to be able to have these peaceful gatherings and talk and communicate so we can have our heartfelt intentions and concerns heard and adhered to by council,” she said.

“In my line of work as a working artist in Hollywood I learnt a lot about integrity and how many can compromise their integrity for profit.

“I’ve also learnt there’s few things that are more important than what this community stands for.

“I can see being here today the power is within us as people when we use our voice.”

Australian authorities say the new generation 5G mobile phone network is safe and there is no evidence it causes adverse health impacts.

Lucas said she learned about 5G because she was feeling “physically affected from EMS” and also is concerned about the “rampant” addiction of the younger generation to digital devices.

She told the gathering of her fears 5G would compromise privacy.

“5G and the internet … would also allow big tech to harvest even more of our data, potentially ushering a regime of total surveillance. We don’t know,” she said.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has urged people to be cautious about claims from anti-5G campaigns, saying they are generating unfounded fear, concern and misinformation in the community.

Former chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy also addressed the issue in a statement in January.

“The radio waves to which the general public is exposed from telecommunications are not hazardous to human health,” Professor Murphy said.

“This position is supported by health authorities in Australia – such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency – and around the world, such as the World Health Organisation.

“Mobile phone networks and other wireless telecommunications emit low-powered radio waves also known as radiofrequency electromagnetic energy.

“This is different to ionising radiation associated with nuclear energy or use in medicine.”

Originally published as Isabel Lucas protests against 5G

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