Pleasant Grove reaffirms anti-porn position

PLEASANT GROVE — Mayor Mike Daniels has joined several other Utah County cities in renewing support for the fight for decency by signing a proclamation declaring February as White Ribbon Against Pornography Month.

In Feb. 2007, Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. signed a proclamation doing the same thing, and now a year later Pleasant Grove, Provo and Orem headline those that are remembering the issue by re-signing proclamations during City Council meetings throughout the month.

"Pornography can and will destroy a nation, a state, a city, a neighborhood, a family and an individual if we do not fight it," Daniels said.

Along with the cities, the statewide nonprofit organization Communities for Decency is supporting the initiative as they continue to work with parents in order to give them resources to fight pornography.

"The main purpose of White Ribbon Against Pornography Month is to bring awareness and educate the community on the effects of pornography," said Cindy Moreno, president of Communities for Decency. "We really hope to give them the resources to talk about pornography."

Provo Mayor Lewis Billings said it is important to re-emphasize the month because the only way to fight pornography is if people band together.

"Pornography is slowly and surreptitiously attacking our families and our communities," he said. "It's very sad when it takes hold of a family member or friend. It's difficult to regulate with laws alone, so it's important for citizens to be on guard and to work together to maintain the community standard that we value."

Pleasant Grove's proclamation states several of the dangers or pornography.

"Pornography in all its forms preys on the deepest of weaknesses in mankind," Daniels said. "It is stronger than any drug. It is more addictive than any substance."

Several other cities around the nation will be participating in different ways throughout White Ribbon Against Pornography Month, and Communities for Decency hopes that people understand that this is not simply a religious issue.

"Every religion and every person can be affected by this." Moreno said. "It is a community issue, not a religious one. We all need to be aware and put up protection."

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