Supporters of the “Arcata Youth Protection Act” gathered at Arcata City Hall Tuesday to submit signatures, signifying the next step in the process of getting an initiative placed on the November ballot.

The proposed ordinance, introduced by North Coast United to Protect Youth, aims to prohibit military recruitment of youth under age 18 within the city of Arcata.

Over the past eight weeks, more than 2,100 signatures were collected, said Dave Meserve of North Coast United to Protect Youth.

The city clerk now has 30 days to verify voter signatures before the proposed initiative heads to the Arcata City Council, which will decide whether to adopt the ordinance before continuing the process through the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.

“We’re happy to have reached this stage,” Meserve said.

The proposed initiative has gained the attention of some in the local political arena, including Assemblymember Patty Berg, who recently endorsed it.

Speaking as a resident and not as a school board member, Shane Brinton spoke of inequalities in the amount of resources available for job recruiters versus military recruiters.

Brinton said he is “very supportive of our armed forces,” but questioned tactics.

“The goal here is to protect our young people,” he said.

Supporters said they backed the initiative for a number of reasons.

Arcata resident Cathi Bettinger said her 17-year-old son intends to join the Marines — something she is not in support of.

“I think it’s time we just say no,” she said.

Others said that youth under the age of 18 should not be targeted as they are not considered to be mature enough by society to engage in some legal or civic activities.

“I don’t feel the military should initiate recruiting of those under 18,” said Arcata resident Dennis Shaughnessy, adding, “People can’t vote until they are 18.”

Some said youth should not be exposed to the realities of war.

“We rate our movies and even our TV shows,” said Sara Sunstein, who works with people who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. “The military is an “R” organization,” she said.

Supporters of the initiative also said they have commonly heard the complaint that recruiters “lied,” and are just doing what is required to meet quotas.

Officials from the local Air Force and Navy recruitment offices were contacted but unavailable for comment Tuesday.

Cathy Pauley, public affairs specialist for the Sacramento U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, told The Eureka Reporter Monday that while recruiters talk to juniors and seniors in high school, they do not recruit minors.

The military depends on the ability to be able to speak with students, she said.