> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A little ‘peace’ inside - URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-little-peace-inside/ - Published: 2003-12-19T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T03:20:39.000Z - Author: John Wood - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Activist changes name* SM COURTHOUSE — A local peace activist with a political bent celebrated a victory of sorts on Thursday, even while officials remain adamant that he can’t list his occupation on the ballot. Three years after filing a lawsuit against City Hall for not allowing the words “peace activist” to appear under his name on the election ballot, the man formerly known as Jerry Rubin legally changed his name. It’s illegal for someone to change their name for political reasons. But Rubin, who as of Thursday is “Jerry Peace Activist Rubin,” was successful anyway, apparently convincing Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Alan Haber the change was for moral reasons. In explaining his request to Haber, Rubin wrote, “I would like my name to reflect who I am and to always be a most personal reminder of the responsibility I have to work for peace and to be an activist.” Rubin said he was gratified that the court decided to allow the change, especially because Haber had expressed reservations when he heard Rubin’s request on Dec. 11, also Rubin’s 60th birthday. “He had said it might be problematic,” said Rubin, who sells peace-themed bumper stickers on the Third Street Promenade, and is a regular fixture at local meetings and events. “(Judge Haber) gave reasons such as that it might open up another can of worms, where other people might want to do something similar. “I guess he decided to do it — better late than never,” added Rubin, who said later, “There’s a responsibility that goes with this name and I feel honored.” > “There’s a responsibility that goes with this name and I feel honored.” — — JERRY PEACE ACTIVIST RUBIN Peace activist Rubin lost his bid for a seat on the Santa Monica City Council in 2000 and pulled out of the 2002 race just days before the election, citing personal reasons. He said he was waiting until January to decide if he’ll run again in 2004, when he plans to hold a public meeting on the matter to gauge community interest. Meanwhile, his lawsuit against City Hall has lost at every court level. James Fosbinder, Rubin’s First Amendment lawyer, appealed the case straight up to the Supreme Court, who refused to hear it in October. Rubin who had to scrape together $350 to change his name, said he’ll look next to State Sen. Sheila Kuehl and Assembly-woman Fran Pavley, and ask them to work towards adjusting the wording of the state law, which prohibits status positions, including “husband,” “wife” and “activist” from being used as an occupation on the ballot. “It seems that there should be some legislative way to do that,” Rubin said. In the meantime, local officials aren’t expected to allow Rubin to put “peace activist” under his name without permission from above. Deputy City Attorney Lance Gams, who handled Rubin’s case, has said City Hall has the backing of “state-authored guidelines and has acted properly, fairly and reasonably with regard to Rubin and the administration of its election procedures.” The formal name change makes legal what for years has been printed in the Santa Monica phone book. Rubin, who lives with his wife in Ocean Park, said he listed himself as “peace activist” as his middle name to avoid confusion with other Rubins in the area. And for further clarification, “Jerry Peace Activist Rubin” is not the famous Jerry Rubin who was a peace activist in the 1960s. On Thursday, Rubin was already in motion, formalizing his new legal identity. “Right after this call, the first thing I’m going to do is change my voter registration,” he said. “This is kind of a belated birthday gift to me, but it’s nice to have it done during the holiday of peace.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 19, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121903.pdf?ref=smdp.com)