Event: East Stroudsburg, PA
date: May 9 & 10, 1997

On May 9 & 10, 1997 the Stroud Mall sponsored a Baby Fair and NOCIRC-Pennsylvania was there. When the mall opened on Friday Susan Peer was ready and had set up an attractive, informative display:

 

One of the first to stop at her table was a gentleman who identified himself as a Jew. He was rather upset and informed Susan that circumcision was a topic we were "not allowed" to discuss. He might have been surprised to learn that some of the most outspoken men and women against forced infant circumcision are members of the Jewish tradition. The reaction during the rest of the day was much more positive, and several pregnant women who stopped to talk with Susan also took information. During the afternoon Al (Parents of Intact Sons) arrived and assisted Susan.

Several families stopped with infants and proudly shared their sons were intact. Two or three took copies of the "Intact Network Newsletter". Towards evening a gentleman approached (who might have been drinking) and stated in a loud voice he was circumcised and was glad that he had been. Susan explained that we were not opposed to circumcision, but that we were opposed to forced circumcision. Apparently that caught him by surprise, and he paused, took some brochures, and left. Towards evening a midwife replaced Susan and the mall became crowded with teenagers. While there were fewer inquirers, the value of our presence was to allow the topic of circumcision to move from 'not allowed' to 'allowed' in the presence of future parents.

On Saturday morning Jim Peron, Director of the Childbirth Education Foundation, replaced Susan so she could get ready for the showing of "Whose Body, Whose Rights". While the mall was less crowded, several people stopped and took information.

 

 

The 'star' of the display was an intact male infant doll wearing the international symbol for 'do not' and the word circumcise. Appropriately the infant was given the name Tommy Wiswell, as in peace, not pain. Below, Bob gives the thumbs-up sign as he and Phil escort Tommy back from the mall; natural, healthy, and whole. Al poses after his assignment at the mall.

 

 

While Jim and Al were at the mall, several men gathered at East Stroudsburg University for a discussion about restoration, moderated by Bob. After lunch more participants arrived including several midwives. After an introduction by Susan, the video "Whose Body, Whose Rights?" was shown followed by a powerful special report on circumcision from a Maine television station. The presentation ended with discussion and 'questions and answers'.

 

 

Following the conference several participants gathered at a local restaurant.
A special thanks to those men, Bob, Mark, Mike, Doug, Jim, Steve and Eric who supported Susan with this seminar.
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