California Proposition 64 (1986)
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Proposition 64 was a proposition in the state of California on the November 4, 1986 ballot. It was an initiative statute that would have restored Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to the list of communicable diseases. The measure was defeated by a margin of 71% to 29%.
Activists associated with Lyndon LaRouche formed the "Prevent AIDS Now Initiative Committee" (PANIC) to place what became "Proposition 64" on the California state ballot. The initiative was written by Khushro Ghandhi.[1] who was also the president of PANIC. Brian Lantz was vice-president[2] and Ted Andromidas was treasurer[3]
The gathering of signatures to qualify the initiative was handled in part by a paid contractor. The fee was paid with a contribution by the Caucus Distributors Inc, a key part of the LaRouche movement.[4] March Fong Eu, Secretary of State of California, notified the committee that her office had received numerous complaints of harassment by signature gatherers, including "outrageous verbal abuse for mere failure to sign petitions". She warned them that further complaints would result in legal action.[5] The state
Proponents argued that the measures would merely return AIDS to the list of communicable diseases under the public health laws. LaRouche activists accused official agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control of "criminal malfeasance" for refusing to back measures such as mandatory testing.[1] Twenty years later, the CDC endorsed universal, but not mandatory, testing.[2]
Opponents characterized it as an effort to force HIV-positive individuals out of their jobs and into quarantine. Said Helen Miramontes, R.N., president of the California Nurses Association:
Health professionals believe that Proposition 64 would seriously hurt their ability to treat and find a cure for AIDS. Current medical efforts based on years of research will be undermined by the fear generated by this irrational proposition.
In 1988 the text of Proposition 64 was re-introduced in California by the "Prevent AIDS Now In California" (also PANIC) committee and appeared on the June 1988 ballot as "Proposition 69." It was also defeated.
A political consultant who was hired by the LaRouche organization to collect signatures for the PANIC initiative was convicted of fraud in October of 1988. The consultant, Stanley I. Dale, used out-of-state signature-collectors and claimed they were California residents.[3]
See also: List of California ballot propositions 1980-1989
[edit] References
- ^ "The State AIDS Test Measure Near OK for Ballot", Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Jun 23, 1986. pg. 2
- ^ "Probe of LaRouche Initiative On AIDS Turns to East Bay;" Edward Iwata. San Francisco Chronicle (pre-1997 Fulltext). San Francisco, Calif.: Jul 25, 1986. pg. 14
- ^ "Backers of AIDS quarantine boost initiative drive," Bill Callahan. The Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Feb 6, 1986. pg. B.12.3.
- ^ "Strange Twists Mark Prop. 64 Campaign;" KEVIN RODERICK. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Oct 30, 1986. pg. 25
- ^ "AIDS-Control Backers Get Warning From Eu;" San Francisco Chronicle.San Francisco, Calif.: May 20, 1986. pg. 11
[edit] External links
- Los Angeles Times coverage:
- Medical Experts Assail Initiative on AIDS: Officials Dismiss Claims Made by Supporters of Larouche-backed Prop. 64 August 3, 1986
- Questions on Prop. 64: Clearing the Confusion October 29, 1986
- EDITORIAL: New Risk on AIDS July 15, 1987
- LaRouche media coverage:
- "The LaRouche-Bevel Program to Save the Nation" Chapter 13:LaRouche's Program for a War on AIDS
- HIV-AIDS Can Be Stopped! Executive Intelligence Review August 11, 2000 (Does not mention Prop 64, but argues for the same approach.)
- Other:
- Unclean, unclean - the plague mentality New Internationalist March 1987
- Prop 22 Causes Ballot Box Deja Vu
- The History of HIV and AIDS:Timeline PDF
- America's Hitler? Behind the California AIDS Initiative November 3, 1986 (Dennis King compares LaRouche's writings on AIDS with Hitler's on syphilis)
