As a concerned citizen, I am deeply disturbed by the fact that in California, it is legal for an adult man to marry a child as young as 12. This reality is not only shocking but also unacceptable in our modern society. According to Unchained At Last, nearly 250,000 children were married in the United States between 2000 and 2010, most of whom were girls wed to adult men (Unchained At Last). This practice infringes on the rights of children and exposes them to numerous risks including health complications, increased poverty rates and higher likelihoods of experiencing violence. It's time for us to take a stand against this gross violation of human rights. We urge lawmakers in California to revise the current laws and set an appropriate minimum age for marriage that protects our children from exploitation. Please sign this petition if you believe no child should be forced into marriage before they are ready or willing.