Backlash seen over Prop. 8 as election nears

11/02/08 14:22:25
A state ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage has put local law enforcement on watch after a handful of incidents were reported over the weekend.

In San Bernardino County, sheriff's deputies said more than two dozens properties in Yucaipa were vandalized with "No on 8" graffiti. Someone used orange paint spray to tag vehicles, fences and garage doors, sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said.

No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile in Ventura County, a teen demonstrating against the proposition on Saturday in Thousand Oaks told authorities that someone in a car brandished a knife and shouted obscenities to the crowd.

Michele Ackerman, mother of the 17-year-old, said two groups on either side of the issue were demonstrating approximately a half-mile from each other when the incident occurred.

The incident involving her son was "pretty ugly," Ackerman said.

"Making physical threats against someone you disagree with is not appropriate," she said.

Proposition 8 would overturn the California Supreme Court's decision earlier this year to legalize same-sex marriage. A "no" vote would allow the decision to stand.