'Bloodstained' circumcision protestors are not here for the Pope

Story here. Excerpt:

'"I love my circumcised penis!”

This is one of the more colorful things David Atkinson, 27, often hears while protesting male circumcision across the country. Passers-by outside City Hall on Thursday were more curious than crude towards the group of a dozen men, who wear all-white clothing with fake bloodstains splattered on the crotch. Their signs carry messages like “Stop cutting baby penis”, “Foreskin theft” and “His body, his choice.”

Atkinson belongs to Bloodstained Men, a California-based organization raising awareness about male genital mutilation. They’re not religiously affiliated, though they note that circumcision is “a freedom of religion issue.” Moreover, the group says it doesn't do any political lobbying for their cause.

“It’s not really very effective in the current legislative climate,” Atkinson said. “What’s more effective is public awareness, because parents are the ones who decide whether or not their child gets to keep his whole penis.”'