I like how you have broken down topic. In reality, I don’t know that you would have much of a chance to block the implementation of smart meters, maybe just delay it.
While encouraging neighbors to join you in trying to stop the smart meters, I would be interested to know if it works. Convenience which is is a component of relief/entertainment/distraction seems to be the bigger priority for most people because they are so stretched already. But few look further at the costs and consequences. At stores with self check out, I refuse to use them and when encouraged to do so, happily say, “No thank you, I would rather an actual person have a job than being free labor for the company.” I am happily a Luddite in the accurate definition. In talking with your neighbors you may be able to approach them through the Luddite avenue, asking how many people will be out of a job.
I live in an area affected by ICE My area has had the government dump the water supply down the gutter but told people it helped fight fires–it did not and instead harmed the farmers since that was their water. ICE collecting workers right and left. Farmers can not get the crops managed because legal workers have been taken or they are too afraid to be seen regardless of their legal status. So the food supply is in jeopardy. After rounds of serious fires, housing has not been replaced and it is even slower without as many people to do the work. I see many intentions behind and consequences of this situation and the use of technology to replace people is one of them. You may trust your government, but it can change. In the future it may not be possible to live without the surveillance and active IoT due to the large scale events and personal choices we make now. To me it looks like returning to a corporate version of feudal societies but I doubt that position would sway many that like their convenience.