The ballot & the streets

While attention in this election was focused on the presidential race and the capitalist economic crisis, other issues of great importance to millions were raised in statewide referenda and propositions. In other election years these issues played a key role. They may be at the center of the struggle once again.

There were referenda votes in 36 states, but two issues in particular deserve the focus of the progressive movement.

Reactionary forces in South Dakota again placed a referendum on the ballot outlawing abortion, after losing an almost equivalent referendum in 2006. In Colorado a referendum sought to establish “personhood” at conception, thus nullifying the right to abortion. Other reactionary groups put big money and hyperbole behind California Proposition 8, which outlaws same-sex marriage.

These ballot measures to some extent tested the political consciousness of the voting public. They’re a gauge as to how much the population has been able to break away from reactionary ideology. But like all voting measures in this capitalist society, they also reflect the money put into the effort on both sides, as well as the level of organization and the commitment of the forces.

The 2006 anti-abortion, anti-woman referendum in South Dakota was defeated in great measure because the women’s movement mobilized and focused on that struggle. Now the right-wing rerun has again been rejected, along with the one in Colorado. Both referenda were strongly defeated. Yet the battle must continue to win the right for all women to have access to legal, safe abortions, if they so choose, along with the medical personnel and facilities to make that a reality.

In California, lesbian, gay, bi and trans activists and their supporters have already shown they won’t let a temporary setback at the polls—should it occur—go by without a struggle. When the right wing mobilized behind Prop 8 in the week before the election, the LGBT community response was to take to the streets in militant defense of its rights. And they weren’t alone. (See report, page 6)

As of this writing, Prop 8 is still up in the air. If this restriction of LGBT rights goes through, it will immediately arouse another street response that will get support from other progressive forces. And it will deserve that support.

Neither the right to abortion nor that of universal marriage rights was handed down from on high. The women’s struggle of the 1960s and 1970s won the Roe v. Wade decision from a less-than-progressive Supreme Court. LGBT struggles opened the door to same-sex marriage demanded by the community. If a well-funded, right-wing campaign succeeds in denying this right, we should all join with those who mobilize to take the struggle back to the streets.