Threat of HIV/AIDS cuts spark protest in Southern California

Many hundreds of people gathered at Hollywood’s Forever Cemetery June 5 to protest over $80 million worth of proposed funding cuts for California HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs. The location of the protest sent a clear message that cuts in HIV/AIDS programs would mean many unnecessary deaths, as well as an increase in the number of infected persons. HIV/AIDS affects all working-class communities, but it hits communities of color and the LGBT community the hardest.

Cuts in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program would greatly affect youth who are HIV positive and do not receive benefits from any other source. This fact brought many militant youth into the streets. ADAP is also crucially important for working-class people who are out of work and therefore lose their health benefits. This assistance is especially important because of the high price of medications used to treat HIV/AIDS.

The specter of cuts is even more problematic for the working class during the present economic crisis when workers face job and health care cuts in general. Meanwhile, the cuts would not affect any HIV positive people from the ruling class, whose wealth allows access to medication, treatment and services.

When asked why he came to the action, Anthony from Ventura, Calif., spoke gravely, “Ten years ago I was given only two years to live, and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for the programs that are being cut.”

The protesters shut down Santa Monica Boulevard during rush hour traffic for a rally and then marched through the busy streets of Hollywood and back to the Forever Cemetery. Signs read “Healthcare is a human right” and “You saved my bank, you saved my car, now save my life!” while chants included, “They say more cuts! We say no cuts!” and “Hey Arnold, what do you say? How many cuts did you sign today?”

The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation became an integral part of the protest by lending organizational knowledge while leading chants. Protesters left with a sense that a fight-back movement and greater mobilizations will be needed in the near future to stop the budget cuts. HIV/AIDS services’ advocates planned to demonstrate in Sacramento June 10.

The consequences of the ruling class’s greed should not be placed onto the backs of workers.

No cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention or treatment programs! No cuts to any human services!