Sean Reed’s life mattered.

George Floyd’s life mattered.

Tony McDade’s life mattered.

David McAtee’s life mattered.

Breonna Taylor’s life mattered.

It’s a simple fact: Black Lives Matter. As ACT UP/NY, we are here to say that enough is enough. We are tired of seeing members of the Black community senselessly murdered by police. We have always condemned racism in all its forms, and we always will. We cannot let George Floyd’s death, and the deaths of so many other innocent Black people, be in vain. We also want to remember the pain of our Black trans, gender non-conforming, and HIV-positive siblings as they confront these murders at the hands of law enforcement.

Eric Garner was murdered by the police in our city in 2014. Six years later, our mayor still rarely speaks about police violence. According to the NY Daily News, the 2019 NYPD budget was 5.6 billion dollars, which was more than the budgets allocated towards housing, health, and youth and community services combined. Much of that $5.6 billion went to paying officers to work overtime, even as crime in New York City fell to historic lows. And this is not a unique case: In cities across America, police unions have been allowed to negotiate higher salaries and greater immunity than any other type of public employee. The result is that police are paid more and scrutinized less than teachers, postal workers, or EMTs — all of whom are essential for our society, and have had their budgets slashed. ACT UP/NY has long protested this type of budget cut. In 2015, we protested de Blasio cutting funds for HIV/STI testing, along with the closing of the Chelsea clinic. At this moment, we are fighting Cuomo’s attempts to cut Medicaid during the COVID public health crisis. If New York’s executives actually cared about protecting the communities most affected by HIV and COVID, we would see a divestment in the NYPD and NYS police and an investment in healthcare, housing, education, and economic programs.

We know the importance of acting up and fighting back. We understand that protesting is both a fundamental right and a moral imperative, which is why we condemn any police abuse during the protests. Furthermore, we acknowledge that the struggle for racial justice is inseparable from the fight against HIV criminalization. Whether it was the blatant police mistreatment of AIDS activists at the height of the epidemic, or the current HIV criminalization laws, we know how policing disproportionately affects people living with HIV. We demand greater accountability and the demilitarization of all law enforcement agents. Together, we stand in solidarity with the courageous folks who are speaking out and showing up.

Moving forward, ACT UP will be using our social media accounts to amplify protests, demonstrations, and vigils, as well as other ways you can support this vital work. We will also be distributing limited protective protest kits starting on June 4th. Please message us for more information.

ACT UP. FIGHT BACK. END AIDS.

About ACT UP

Founded in 1987, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. ACT UP currently meets every Monday night at 7PM ET via Zoom. Notes: you will be asked to contribute your first & last name and email address to access online meetings, and KN-95 masks are required for ACT UP NY in person meetings/actions/gatherings. All individuals are welcome!