(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - A coalition of Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, civil rights, and other human rights organizations that has rapidly banned together against San Francisco's circumcision ban that will be on the November ballot.
They are also speaking out against what they and others consider to be anti-Semitic propaganda by the ban's proponents.
Opponents of the bill claim it violates multiple civil liberties, including freedom of religion, as well as parental rights and public health.
Male circumcision is a preventative measure for HIV and cervical cancer, among other health benefits, said opponents, who cited studies published by the World Health Organization.
But the health benefits of male circumcision – the removal of the foreskin the covers the tip of the penis – only touch part of opponents' complaints around the proposed ban that will be before San Francisco voters November 8.
The initiative, which qualified for the ballot last month, seeks to criminalize anyone practicing circumcision on boys under the age of 18 within San Francisco. Violations would result in a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment in county jail for up to one year, or both.
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