OutOnTheNet Blog: Twenty-Seven Arrested At NYC Protest

Friday, March 30, 2007

Twenty-Seven Arrested At NYC Protest

Source: ACT UP
Date: March 30, 2007

NEW YORK CITY -- 27 people were arrested yesterday during a protest demanding health care for all, single-payer national health insurance, and drug price controls in the United States. Nearly a thousand attended the protest in downtown New York City, which commemorated ACT UP's 20th anniversary of AIDS activism and direct action.

After marching through various downtown sites, the activists converged on the Wall Street Bull statue in the financial district. Chanting, "No more bull! Health care for all," the group brought out 50 body bags, symbolizing the 50 Americans who die each day due to lack of health insurance. 27 people laid down in the street in front of traffic and were arrested by police.

The protesters met at Federal Plaza at noon Thursday and headed down Broadway. The group stopped at five sites of government and corporate power historically responsible for thousands of AIDS deaths and for the United States' current health care crisis. At City Hall, they demanded that the city expand access to health care for all poor people and people with HIV.

They stopped at Trinity Church, the site of ACT UP's first public action 20 years ago, to remember those who died of AIDS and/or lack of health care.

The crowd swelled at the New York Stock Exchange, as call-and-response chants condemned health care profiteering by insurance and health care companies. The protest concluded at the Wall Street Bull statue, as the fervent group observed those engaging in civil disobedience.

ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, was founded in March, 1987. ACT UP is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. For more info, visit http://www.actupny.org