Housing Works Opens Washington, D.C. Office; Group President Promises HIV/AIDS Advocacy ‘Every Week’
New York City-based housing and AIDS advocacy group Housing Works on Wednesday opened its first Washington, D.C., office, and the group is "eager to promote its agenda by establishing a presence in the corridors of power," National Journal reports. According to Michael Kink, the Housing Work's legislative counsel, the group has provided housing, health care and other social services to more than 15,000 people since 1990. Kink said that the group plans to send its clients to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, according to National Journal (Caruso et al., National Journal, 11/13). Housing Works President and CEO Charles King said, "Our D.C. office will be the nerve center for uncompromising every-week advocacy by people living with HIV/AIDS," adding, "Now more than ever, we must build a nationwide mass movement to keep the pressure on our elected officials to deal with the deadly reality of AIDS; and it's everyday people living with AIDS and HIV that are best able to carry the message" (Housing Works release, 11/17). Robert Cordero, Housing Works director of federal advocacy, said, "If we need to, we will engage in civil disobedience" (National Journal, 11/13). The group last month helped organize a protest outside the Bush-Cheney campaign headquarters in Arlington, Va. Approximately 120 people participated in the demonstration, and 21 people were arrested after chaining themselves to the front door of the building (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 10/19).
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