Bloodstained Men Show Harmful Reality Of Circumcision In Hays And Great Bend Protest
"It's a barbaric human rights violation."
Protesters from the organization Bloodstained Men gathered in Hays and Great Bend to raise awareness about the harms of circumcision. Wearing all white with large red spots symbolizing bloodstains on their crotches, the activists aimed to prevent violence against children.
David Atkinson, the CEO of Bloodstained Men, told local news that “we do not want future generations to suffer the same act of violence that was inflicted on us when we were too young to defend ourselves.” He condemned circumcision as unnecessary and harmful.
The group criticized the ignorance and denial prevalent among American doctors. Atkinson stated, "There are still people who just have no idea, totally ignorant about the structure and function of the human foreskin... there are a lot of doctors who are totally ignorant about this." He also highlighted the financial incentive for hospitals and clinics to perform the procedure.
Bloodstained Men pointed out that circumcision rates vary globally, with European and Asian countries abandoning the practice, while the United States maintains a high rate. They warned American parents about the dangers their children face in hospitals shortly after birth and urged them to educate themselves to protect their sons.
"It's a barbaric human rights violation,” Atkinson said. Atkinson compared the evolution of circumcision to outdated medical procedures that were once considered valid but are now condemned. “The foreskin is a normal, healthy, valuable part of the human penis.”
Atkinson also held the media accountable for their misleading reporting on circumcision. “There's a lot of inaccurate reporting we still see about this issue with regards to the AAP because people do a quick search on the internet, and they'll say, ‘Oh, look at the recommendation that the benefits outweigh the risks,’” Atkinson said. “But they don't realize the AAP has no current statement on this issue. They have not, for the past six years, had any statement on this issue.”
As the conversation around circumcision continues, Bloodstained Men hopes that the public will better understand the harm associated with the practice. The organization continues with their two-week tour Kansas and Nebraska “to spread foreskin awareness and prevent violence against children.”