The Bear Paw Parade celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday with all the charm and energy locals have come to love. From pageant princesses and football teams to candy-tossing floats and grinning kids lining the route, the annual event felt as youthful and joyful as ever.
But this year’s celebration came with an unexpected twist. A group of “no circumcision” protesters disrupted the family-friendly atmosphere with graphic signage and costumes featuring blood-red stains over their pants. Their presence rattled many parade-goers, prompting calls to local law enforcement.
Police responded quickly but, after assessing the situation, determined the protest fell under constitutionally protected free speech. No arrests or citations were made.
The festival managers posted about the incident on Facebook:
A Note to Our Bear Paw Festival Attendees
Well folks… we knew Bear Paw would bring surprises — but today brought something none of us anticipated.
During what should’ve been a joyful, family-friendly afternoon full of music, parades, and festival fun, a group of demonstrators chose to share a very specific message about circumcision. While we absolutely respect the right to free speech, this was not the time or place for such content.
Our team quickly contacted the Anchorage Police Department’s non-emergency line. Officers responded promptly and professionally. Because of the public nature of our event, removal was not possible, but the situation remained peaceful and was monitored closely. No injuries occurred, and the festivities continued as planned.
To our families, vendors, performers, and incredible volunteers — thank you for your patience, understanding, and keeping cool under very strange circum….stances. We recognize this disruption was unwelcome and out of line with the spirit of Bear Paw.
We are actively reviewing our safety protocols and public space policies to better protect the joyful, inclusive atmosphere we all value.
Thank you for sticking with us — and for helping keep Bear Paw all about community, celebration, and just the right amount of weird.
—The Bear Paw Festival Team
Despite the jarring display, the spirit of Bear Paw endured, and Must Read Alaska captured photos of the festivities that carried on, undeterred by the brief disruption:
The world is falling apart around us and that’s what these ‘tards are gonna spend their day protesting?
People need to STFU and get a damn job so they don’t have so much extra time on their hands.
Amen
You’re clearly mutilated or an MGM supporter. Sorry for your loss and ignorance
There is nothing wrong with circumcision.
Until the masses wake up and see what’s wrong with circumcision and other genital cutting done unto children, expect the protests to continue to get louder.
“The masses” really? You sound like Karl Marx….
Have you considered that those faceless “masses” have bigger problems than cutting a bit of foreskin or not?
If this is the hill you want to fight on, fine. If you were talking about surgically gender transitioning minors, we could have a point of agreement, but this doesn’t sound like that.
It should also be pointed out that yours is one opinion on the subject! Just like anything else in life, things change and what we thought was “scientific” today, may be ridiculous tomorrow.
You have your opinion. Other people have theirs. Your demonstrations are in such poor taste that you turn people off to your “cause”. You also disrupt traffic and cause people grief at parades you shouldn’t insert yourself into. Whoever you are, you clearly do not have any kind of critical thinking about how to get your point across in a way people might accept or listen to. You are weird.
When has Must Read Alaska ever reported on circumcision? Never? Apparently, shock protests get more attention than medical fraud and socially accepted child abuse. If only the media reported the truth, and if only the masses would do their own research, protests wouldn’t be necessary.
Shock protests get attention. Not the right kind of attention.
NEWS FLASH: There IS such a thing as bad publicity. And you are advocating for it.
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When adults, who understand that shocking is not equivalent to clever, see a shock protest they point and laugh, and dismiss the protestors as the toddlers they really are. It does not matter what the protest is about. Abortion, gay rights, trans rights, voting rights, circumcision, pineapple on pizza… does not matter. Decide shocking is the way to go, and get ignored.
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You are literally driving people away from you cause by standing on a street with blood on your crotch.
yawn
Hey uncut! Nobody but you gives an d/// about your junk. Keep it to yourself, unless of course your narcissism requires you to make it “all about you”. Maybe complain to your parents about your obvious obsession. And leave the kids alone.
Uh… leaving the kids alone is the whole idea. But most baby cutters are too stupid to understand that.
They showed up at the main intersection in Palmer, as well today. I wonder whether locals or out of towners.
Prickly bunch! Making such a pubic appearance and too boot, no skin in the parade.
Cheers
Oh vey!
Could circumcision be the Mark of the Beast?
Some guys put giant tires on their pickup truck.
Some guys blame it on being in the pool.
A few hold up a sign and blame the doctor.
Why is there so much hate, and do not blame the President? You lost, accept it, and move on. I saw it today near my local federal building. People protesting for what?Because they hate a political leader.
This is what pot does to your brain.
I stopped and asked whether they were standing up for women, Muslim women who have had much more severe cutting happen “to please Allah.” One guy ignored me. Another yelled, “I want my foreskin back!” And one girl stated she was raped two years ago, so of course, she stands up for women. The logic is dizzying. I’m unsure what they’ve accomplished beyond not showing up for work this past month, given their recent visits to Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer, and now Eagle River.
And Wasilla.
The event today was planned many months ago. We had no idea that you were having your annual festival. With that said. Circumcision became popular in America in the 1860’s as punishment for masturbation.
While the message may be shocking to some of you. It’s the harsh reality that.
Circumcision is barbaric and unnecessary
Protect your sons
Stop Infant Circumcision Society
Genital Integrity Awareness Week
33rd Annual Demonstration
U.S. Capitol – Washington DC
March 28 – April 4, 2026
StopInfantCircumcision.org
Hear, hear! David Wilson is right. Male circumcision in America started as a way to keep teenage boys from masturbating. But teenage boys weren’t going for letting someone cut off the most sensitive part of their privates. So doctors started to go after baby boys, because they couldn’t run away, and the doctors could get paid for “the procedure.” Check out: “Please Don’t Cut the Baby: A Nurse’s Memoir,” by Marilyn Fayre Milos, RN; and “This Penis Business: A Social Activist’s Memoir,” by Georganne Chapin. Also visit Intact America on the www, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube. And ‘www.skininthegame.org
“The event today was planned many months ago. We had no idea that you were having your annual festival.”
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I’ll take Things That Never Happened for $400 please, Alex.
David, I respect your right to your opinion and your ability to voice it.
You claim that your “event” was planned months ago. You really want us to believe you did not know that there would be a parade at the ANNUAL Bear Paw festival THAT very weekend? That speaks of very poor planning, not being aware of community activities. It is my belief that you were going for maximum impact with the most “gross-out” factor/shock value and found the most likely venue.
Frankly I really don’t know if this is the greatest issue of our times, considering that circumcision goes back to ancient times, not just to the 1860’s. Furthermore the country at that time was embroiled in the Civil War, we had bigger problems then too.
I would further opine that your approach, while colorful, is really counter-productive. I think it would have been much more effective if you left the theatrics at home, as it immediately puts people in an oppositional mind-set and no reasonable discussion/education can take place. Instead you could have rented a space at the Bear Paw Festival, set up a booth and educate people, especially considering that you had supposedly planned that event “for months”. I guess that would cost money and be too much work. It also makes me think you are not really into informing people, but instead browbeating them with questionable imagery.
Yes, that protest was in poor taste and in the wrong venue! Having said that, hopefully you’ll recognize that some “ancient rituals” that should never have been should’ve terminated centuries ago!
Genital modification or mutilation of innocent defenseless babies should NOT be happening, period!
It’s interesting that so many folks who understand the insanity of transgender procedures, especially on the naive young, don’t see anything wrong with taking scalpels to penises!
Perhaps you can shed some light on this dark subject, despite circumcision not being the primary concern of our times.
Greg, frankly no, I do not have to shed light on it. This is your soap box not mine.
If you want to decry history, be my guest. I find this display disgusting and inappropriate. Until your group is ready to have a rational and reasonable discussion about this, instead of running around with red crotches and hyperbole, there is no reason to engage.
“We had no idea that you were having your annual festival”
Yeah, it’s only been going on for 39 years.
I have no skin in the game. I’ll head out now.
Protecting and defending children from abuse is EVERYBODY’S business.
And, somehow standing with blood on the front of your pants is accomplishing this?
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Oh, I know you are “raising awareness.” Got it.
Did you know that “raising awareness” is just a phrase to make people who have actually accomplished nothing feel better for doing so?
I think a big part of the problem here is that male genital mutilation is such a deeply entrenched and normalized part of American culture that no one wants to talk about it or even acknowledge it. And many people still don’t want to admit that its an act of violence and a human rights violation. That’s the whole point of demonstrations like this. If society is collectively blind to an injustice, sometimes the only effective way to remove the blinkers is by shocking people through the method of “guerilla theater.” It’s a tactic that has been used by The Guerilla Girls and Pussy Riot and, in this case, the Bloodstained Men. These types of protests, by their very nature, are shocking and disturbing. And they always seem out of place because there is no place in society where the injustice and the mass blindness to that injustice doesn’t prevail. That’s way demonstrations like this can seem jarring. But that’s precisely why demonstrations like this are necessary.
So offensive demonstrations like this are required to make your point known? As to your examples Guerilla Theater, I can’t say I’ve ever heard of them. Sounds like they’ve grown up, moved along, and got a life.
I guess they wanted some “skin in the game”…lol
Child genital mutilation for religious reasons is a barbaric & unnecessary practice, however, graphically protesting the ritual at an outdoor festival is perhaps not the best place to showcase it. Perhaps, in front of hospitals and pediatricians’ offices would be more appropriate.
Time and place, time and place.
Rushing around at anytime in public with blood all over your clothing and chanting can scare children who should not be exposed to this stuff. They certainly are the victims being exposed to your protest.
Children certainly are the victims if their parents had them circumcised. The truth is utterly horrific, and they’re never going to get the truth from their misguided parents.
That is interesting.
I know plenty of men who are circumcised, and not a single one thinks they were victimized in any way. In fact, most of the folks I know are quite happy they were circumcised as a child. So… where are the victims?
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Tell me, Rich. What makes you think you should be speaking for other people? Who are you to decide who was victimized?
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Oh, I know. If they are not outraged they were circumcised, they are obviously brainwashed. Because in your world, if you do not agree with Rich, you are obviously wrong.
Uncircumcised males have a higher risk of penile infections compared to circumcised males. Specifically, studies show a significantly higher prevalence of HPV infections, balanitis (inflammation of the glans penis), and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in uncircumcised males. These infections can be attributed to the presence of the foreskin, which provides a warm, moist environment conducive to bacterial and viral growth.
GET YOUR FACTS
Yes ma’am, get your facts–and most research shows differently than what you just rattled off. You are using old data that’s been refuted or done from 3rd world countries with poor hygiene. Even the old original cutting by Jewish rabbis was just a small clip to draw blood and not the wholesale destruction that is done now. The foreskin serves a very good purpose of protecting something that is not supposed to be exposed. This little “surgery” has been one of the biggest frauds perpetrated on American society. And it’s a money maker for the Doctors who continue to go along with it even though all the big health organizations have statements against doing it.
Ask any women about an uncircumcised penis versus a circumcised.
Uncircumcised are dirty, smelly, and nasty.
Uncircumcised penis fatigue…
And yet almost all the bad things circumcision is supposed to reduce are actually lower in Europe, where almost no-one is circumcised unless they’re Jewish or Muslim.
Three national medical organizations (Iceland, Sweden and Germany) have called for elective infant male circumcision to be *banned*, and two others (Denmark and the Netherlands) have said they’d support a ban if they didn’t think it would drive the practice underground.
“Routine” circumcision *is* banned in public hospitals in Australia (almost all the men responsible for this policy will be circumcised themselves, as the male circumcision rate in Australia in 1950 was about 90%).
If it weren’t a religious thing, elective circumcision of boys would have been banned in lots of countries decades ago, same as it was for girls.
So, Tiffany, I can assume your labia are no longer intact?
These ass holes that feel it is their right to push their agenda at an event like Bear Paw are beyond understanding.
Who give’s a ratf…. about the penis people. Who seriously who. Whoa to them if they get in my face.
Strapping a baby to a board and cutting his private parts is the epitome of pushing one’s agenda on someone else. Wake up and get on the right side of bodily autonomy.
Read and reread the Bear Paw “Committee’s” acknowledgement and afterthoughts of the appearance of the of the protesters. 4th paragraph; “Keeping cool under such strange circum….stances.” Sorry “Committee” Can’t have it both ways. You are not concerned and you missed the mark here on being funny. 5th paragraph; “inclusive atmosphere we all enjoy.” Inclusive; clean out of the indoctrinated woke’s play/handbook.
And next paragraph; “just the right amount of wierd.” Huh? Bloodied white pants at a family event to the Committee is just weird? How about disgusting?
Oh, and then of course calling the police dept from the largest woke controlled city in AK. Nah, they can’t/won’t do anything about it. Nice touch though and a clap to the
Committee“ for the visual/theatricals. Pure CYA’s.
And now last but not least, how about the “Committee” then posting it on of all things Facebook? Great free woke propaganda to the masses. The protesters, and I think the “Committee” included, wanted to shock and awe the families. I have no doubts they succeeded. Alaskans, pay attention and skip exposing your kids to the woke propaganda and trappings. We are in Alaska. Spend quality time with your family bbq’ing boating, rafting, fishing, hiking, flying. There are a lot more positive, exciting, fun things to do than continuing to further the woke’s indoctrination agenda.
They’re probably millennias. So, be patient.When things get hard they’ll disappear.. I’ll let myself out.
None of these clowns would have the nerve to protest against female genitalia mutilation that is practiced in nearly thirty largely Muslim African countries.
Not so fast. I have a pair of foreskin boots. When I rub them they turn into hipwaders
You win the internet today, Jonis. – sd
For sure!!
Good for them! Three national medical organizations (Iceland, Sweden and Germany) have called for elective infant male circumcision to be *banned*, and two others (Denmark and the Netherlands) have said they’d support a ban if they didn’t think it would drive the practice underground.
“Routine” circumcision *is* banned in public hospitals in Australia (almost all the men responsible for this policy will be circumcised themselves, as the male circumcision rate in Australia in 1950 was about 90%).
If it weren’t a religious thing, elective circumcision of boys would have been banned in lots of countries decades ago, same as it was for girls.
It’s worth remembering that no-one except for Jewish people and Muslims would even be having this discussion if it weren’t for the fact that 19th century doctors thought that :
a) masturbation caused various physical and mental problems (including epilepsy, convulsions, paralysis, tuberculosis etc), and
b) circumcision stopped masturbation.
Both of those sound ridiculous today I know, but that’s how they thought back then, and that’s how non-religious circumcision got started. If you don’t believe me (and it seemed bogus to me at first too), then search for “A Short History of Circumcision in North America In the Physicians’ Own Words,” or just look for any medical text from about 1850-1950 that mentions male circumcision or masturbation. Heck, they even passed laws against “self-pollution” as it was called.
Over a hundred years later, people keep looking for new ways to defend the practice.
Geez folks, definitely the wrong venue for that protest. SD’s MRA comment venue is appropriate though.
Intact America is something worth checking out. There is ZERO reason for genital mutilation or modification of newborn babies whether male or female, period! Of course I’ll be accused of being anti-religion, which is partially true depending on specifics, but I absolutely do believe in God. Just stop carving up little babies’ genitals, is that too much to ask?…..
Not interested in checking it out.
Know why? Because a bunch of men with the intellect of toddlers decided bloody crotches was a good way to get their point across. I have no interest whatsoever in listening to anything coming from them in any way.
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If these people who do not realize shocking is not equivalent to clever want to share a message, drop the shocking part.
….and let us not forget what his sign says:
“Circumcision ruined the hand job”
How vulgar and idiotic can you get? Is masturbation really what occupies the male mind above all? Hand jobs are the reason to demand an end to circumcising infants? Gross just gross!
It’s just another example of idiots thinking shocking is equivalent to clever.
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For some reason they think making people feel uncomfortable will bring people to their cause. It doesn’t, it drives them away.
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I would not be surprised if 50% or more of the protestors are closet gays. What other adult male obsesses so much about the penis?
Maybe it is because a part of their body was removed without their consent and they don’t like it? Did you ever think of that? That it might be wrong to circumcise boys without their consent?
Brian, in the grand scheme of life, is this really what you think “ruins” men’s lifes? Really?
If you argue that this elective surgery should not be performed until boys are of age, fine. It is a worthwhile discussion.
However the spectacle as well as the “sky is falling” is overblown and ridiculous on its face.
If as a guy you can not cope with losing a little skin on really a non-vital appendage, I seriously question your priorities and your need to blame all your problems on your parents instead of looking at your own behavior.
Of all the things in this world to protest. Absolutely bizarre. And here I thought it must be a Trans trying to “prove” men could have periods. Good grief.
I’ve never had my opinion changed by a parade, but a well written opinion piece, backed with a research paper has swayed me and provided thought.
People, please use your words, not your parade floats or protest signs!
Most of us think of you as sexually impotent and trying to blame others for the situation.
I guess if you protest that it is wrong for parents to have their son’s penises removed, you would be some type of transphobe, but the foreskin of a baby boy, who will not remember one iota of the operation and be less susceptible to various infections as an adult, is the real problem. Deep down, I think these protesters came out of the woodwork because their 10-day free subscription to Netflix ran out and they had nothing else to do at home… and it wasn’t raining.
When groups try to hijack events for their protest, the only thing it does is show that they’re not committed to their cause. If they were committed they wouldn’t have to go after the surprise Factor, or worse a captive audience.
Considering that this is the first time SD or MRAK has brought attention to the issue of male genital mutilation, I would say these demonstrators accomplished exactly what they set out to (which was getting more people to discuss male genital mutilation). Thank you, SD, for helping spread the word – we can only make a difference in society when we work together! ~ ODNT
This is a national group who travels the country with these signs. I saw the bearded old guy in DC in April in front of the library of congress with the same signed and clothing. Posted a pic this weekend of him. Paid professional protesters…..
Just one more reason to ignore them.
I assume this group is opposed to sex change operations too, right?
I donate to ‘Intact America’ because their agenda is about stopping circumcision! There are so many millions of parents who were coerced by religious tradition and or by doctors or hospital staff etc to allow this totally unnecessary abuse. Why would hospital or clinic doctors turn away a bit more money and not provide this abuse to new born babies? 🥹
STOP this abuse folks, see it for what it is! Although not in any way as horrific as abortion, these helpless babies are still victims if genitally mutilated, whether male or female, whether by Muslim, Jewish or Christian tradition or other beliefs, it’s pure abuse! STOP it, protect babies instead!
On circumcision one commenter wrote “…male genital mutilation is such a deeply entrenched and normalized part of American culture that no one wants to talk about it or even acknowledge it.”
Pfffffttttt….Obviously not as shown in the demonstration and this articles commenters.
On the other hand, (someone has to bring this up)
I suspect the bloody shock jocks (males or females) from the anti circumcision group readily look the other way on male genital extreme mutilation when it is to accomplish ‘transitioning’.
Changing male genitals to female genitals is a much more radical procedure that has proven to come with multilevel life changing issues, not all a bed of roses.
now debate that – I’m sure the bloody shock jocks have comebacks prepare.
I’m really disappointed in anyone who would not look into WHY someone is protesting instead of immediately whining about their celebration. It’s genital mutilation. BOOOOOO on the pathetically ignorant reporting done by the author. Do better, Alaska!👎
Oh we know why…it’s all about the “hand job”.
You see that sign alone, invalidated ANY even remotely legitimate reason to crash an annual family event!
I will not look into WHY someone is protesting if their protest is nothing other than trying to shock people into noticing. Neither will I look into why a toddler is throwing a tantrum. The correct response is to ignore them. In fact, there is no difference between the two.
I wish that certain groups would start to understand that you don’t gain supporters by pissing people off. What you do gain are people who will walk away and not listen to your opinion. I Look at you and feel the same as I feel for drag queens putting their bodies on display for attention. Our kids don’t need to be in this conversation. But, you deliberately crashed that event and we all know it. Or are you paid protestors from the lower 48 because every Alaskan knows when that festival is. Any person with even a touch of decency would not crash family events.
I read your posts about “ didn’t know” and I call BS. At least man up enough to admit you did it for the attention. Which you got, enjoy it, the attention you are getting is worthless.
I agree that you shouldn’t cut bits off your baby. I think if you want to be circumcised, you should do it when you’re old enough to make that decision. I’m not gonna stand on the street corner and yell at opinion, but I certainly have the discussion whenever it arises.
Nothing to see here, folks — just more freakish fanatics manstruating from their manginas.
They really should try using a rag next time it happens.
Actually look at the protesters ?? . Complete freak show.
You know what’s not family-friendly? Strapping your perfect newborn baby boy down on a table and cutting part of his penis off. Boys die every year from this, and all are left disfigured with a scar on their penis at best. Circumcision removes protective and erogenous structures, nerve endings, and it permanently replaces the gliding motion during intercourse with a more abrasive rubbing. It is child abuse. And because of the Bloodstained Men’s protest, it is getting attention where it would not. This is a good thing. Bravo to the Bloodstained Men!