May 30, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Governor Brown Says No Bans On Circumcisions:

Thanks to a state legislator from Silver Lake, certain groups will not have to worry about male circumcisions being banned in Santa Monica.

Almost four months after a San Diego-based group filed paperwork in Santa Monica City Clerk’s office to place a measure on the ballot banning male circumcision, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law on Oct. 2 that prohibits any and all local bans on male circumcisions.

Accordingly, local municipalities across California cannot regulate the practice commonly associated with Judaism and Islam.

“I hope that it is the last we hear of the issue, which would have been a serious intrusion on parental rights and religious freedom,” Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom told The Mirror. “The anti-Semitic overtones serve as a reminder that we need to be ever-vigilant. I am happy that I was able to play a small role in helping to prevent a travesty.”

Sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D- Silver Lake), Assembly Bill AB 768 made its way to the governor’s desk in light of a recent push in San Francisco, where, similar to Santa Monica, proponents of a circumcision ban were seeking a ballot measure making male circumcisions in that city illegal unless medically necessary.

While the new state law brings about some level of closure to the issue, proponents are not necessarily packing up their bags and leaving town.

“Our next effort to protect boys from forced circumcision will be in early 2012 when we formally resubmit our state and federal MGM Bill proposals in an effort to find one or more state or Congressional sponsors,” Matthew Hess, president of MGMBill.org – MGM stands for Male Genital Mutilation – told The Mirror.

He added that the new law was, on its face, “gender discrimination.”

“With the enactment of AB 768, California now has one state law that protects girls from genital cutting and another state law that prevents cities from providing the very same protection for boys,” Hess said. “That is clear gender discrimination, which is illegal under both the California and U.S. Constitutions.”

Brown signed AB 768 on Sunday as part of a package of 44 measures that came across his desk last weekend; of the 44 bills, Brown vetoed four.

On June 7, MGMBill.org’s leading advocate in favor of banning circumcisions, Jena Troutman, had withdrawn filed paperwork that would have given Santa Monica voters an opportunity to vote on the issue by 2012.

The proposed ballot measure would have banned circumcisions in the city for anyone under the age of 18. It also called for jail time and/or an imposition of a $1,000 fine upon would-be violators.

A similar measure was en route to being placed on next month’s ballot in San Francisco; however, a Northern California judge blocked the proposed initiative in July after several religious and medical groups sued the anti-circumcision proponents.

According to a study published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there is apparently a significant drop in performed circumcisions across the United States. The CDC reportedly researched more than 6.5 million boys and found about 33 percent had an infant circumcision in 2009, a significant drop from the 56 percent mark the center reported in 2006.

in News
Related Posts

Pandemic-Induced Rent Debt Crisis Threatens Housing Stability

May 28, 2023

May 28, 2023

Low-Wage Workers and Communities of Color Disproportionately Affected By Dolores Quintana  Rental debt is an out-of-control problem that has worsened...

Spanish Revival Home On Market For Nearly $20M

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

The Property is Nestled Behind Gates and Features Eight Bedrooms By Zach Armstrong Over top of the Riviera Country Club,...

Santa Monica Ranked One of the Least Affordable U.S. Cities

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Several Metrics Graded on a 100-point Scale to Make the Ranking. By Zach Armstrong The City of Santa Monica was...

(Video) Homelessness Exacerbated by Santa Monica Rail and Bus System

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

The METRO and public bus system has reportedly been a large factor in Santa Monica’s homeless population. @smmirrornews Homelessness in...

Health Advisory: Los Angeles County Health Warns Against Swimming This Weekend

May 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Public Health Issues Caution as Bacterial Levels Exceed Health Standards  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents...

Women’s Boutique Closing After More Than 60 Years

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Sumiko Started on Main Street in Santa Monica in 1962. By Zach Armstrong Women’s clothing boutique Sumiko is closing after...

With New Metro System, Santa Monicans Can Reach East L.A. Without Transfers

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Riders Could Save as Much as 20 Minutes Going Downtown. By Zach Armstrong The Regional Connector transit project, a 1.9...

(Video) Holey Grail Donuts Embraces Sustainability and Veganism

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Located in Santa Monica, this donut shop embraces high quality food along with sustainability practices. @smmirrornews Holey Grail Donuts in...

Don Victorino Has Spent 28 Years Expertly Cutting Meat For Tito’s Tacos

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

The Restaurant’s Tasty Tacos And Burritos Main Ingredient Is Hand Carved Tito’s Tacos, at 11222 Washington Place in Culver City,...

8th Annual “MAINopoly” Event Taking Place Memorial Day Weekend

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The Event Offers A Delightful Twist On The Classic Board Game, Granting Participants Access To Tastings At More Than 20...

(Video) Student Art Gallery at Santa Monica College Begins May 25

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The second part of Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Student Art Exhibition Starts May 25 @smmirrornews Santa Monica College’s 2nd part...

The Dodgers Reinstate LGBTQ+ Group’s Invitation and Honor At Dodger Pride Night

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence Accepted The Baseball Team’s Apology By Dolores Quintana This morning, The Los Angeles Dodgers issued...

Yoga Studio Event Aims To Inspire Kids To Relax Mind, Body and Soul

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

The Event Offers A Range Of Activities Aimed At Inspiring Children’s Fitness And Wellness Goals While Promoting Relaxation. Kids Wellness...

Free Screening of Homelessness Documentary Taking Place at Santa Monica Church

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

The Film Follows Four Runners Who Train For The La Marathon While Struggling With Addiction, Homelessness And The Criminal Justice...

As Federal Covid Reporting Comes To An End, LA County Reporting Will Continue

May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023

LA County Will Still Monitor Covid Transmission Trends And Severity  By Dolores Quintana The Federal Covid Public Health Emergency officially...