I have the following code in my User model:

```
attr_protected :email

```

I'm trying to create a new user object, but I get a mass assignment protected error with the following code.

```
user = User.new(
    :first_name => signup.first_name,
    :last_name => signup.last_name,
    :email => signup.email,
    :birthday => signup.birthday,
    :encrypted_password => signup.encrypted_password,
    :salt => signup.salt
  )

```

Does anyone know how I can work around the attr\_protected to get this code to work and assign a value to email?

Thank you.