Anti-pornography measure voted down by Cambridge residents

A controversial anti-pornography measure on the Cambridge, Mass., ballot Nov. 5 was voted down by residents. When officials tallied votes Monday, the count showed 13,031 against the measure and 9,419 for it. Under the defeated proposal, a woman who believed she had been hurt by pornography could sue and collect damages from anyone who makes, sells, or buys obscene books, magazines, and movies.

The proposal had divided feminists in this city near Boston. Supporters contended it would spawn an avalanche of expensive lawsuits that would put pornographers out of business and make the streets safe for women again. Opponents said it would have created censorship, allowing conservative groups to ban homosexual literature and frankly worded health guides.