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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- Dozens of citizen gathered to protest Thursday afternoon on the square in Fairfield, Iowa.

They’re asking U.S. Cellular to 'hold the phone' on building a new cell phone tower in town on Depot Avenue.

Protesters lined up along the city's main street through town with handmade signs.

"We have a lot of concerned citizens because apparently there are cell phone towers going up in our town, and we had no idea that they were going up," said Sue Berkey, who organized the rally.

The residents are concerned that radiation from the tower could be harmful to nearby residents and school children.

"There’s research that shows that cell phone tower radiation can cause brain cancer and DNA problems in the future," Berkey said.

"Well, there's contradicting research at this point, but right now they're sending radio waves out into the environment in a six-block radius. That's harmful to individuals, animals and the environment in general and just kind of polluting the air ways," said protester Julia Roberts.     

The group's attorney, David Sykes, said citizens are hoping the cell phone company will move the construction site away from any residential areas.

They also want to get local government involved in their fight.

"We want to approach the city council, the county board of supervisors and ask them to consider an ordinance that as I said would either consider a moratorium or a regulation of the size and height and placement of these towers," Sykes said.

KTVO also contacted U.S. Cellular about the issue.

In a statement, the spokesman said that company representatives will be meeting with Fairfield residents as construction continues on the tower.

It also reads, “To date, there has been no scientific evidence that cell tower emissions pose a risk to you or your loved ones. U.S. Cellular has received the appropriate approvals for construction of this site, and we are in full compliance with all local and federal health and safety guidelines set forth by the Federal Communications Commission."