‘Campaign to End AIDS’ Advocates Arrested During ‘Die-In’ Protest Outside White House

Twenty-nine HIV/AIDS advocates were arrested on Monday in front of the White House for protesting against the Bush administration's HIV/AIDS policies, the Associated Press reports (Associated Press, 11/7). The protest was organized by the Campaign to End AIDS, which earlier this month launched 10 caravans nationwide that held rallies in more than 100 cities. The caravans converged in Washington, D.C., on Saturday for "Four Days of Action to End AIDS," which included the March To End AIDS. C2EA is calling for a renewed commitment to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 11/7). Advocates on Monday "staged a peaceful 'die-in,'" in which they assembled a cemetery outside the White House by lying on the ground with tombstone-shaped signs reading, "Bush's war on AIDS," according to the Associated Press (Associated Press, 11/7). About 150 people stood across the street holding signs that read, "Stop Bush's War on AIDS," while chanting, "Bush is a jerk, condoms work," the AP/Washington Times reports (AP/Washington Times, 11/7). The protesters were arrested for demonstrating without a permit, a misdemeanor for which they received a citation that carries a $50 fine, according to U.S. Park Police Sgt. Scott Fear (Associated Press, 11/7). Twelve other advocates were arrested earlier in the day while protesting outside the offices of the Family Research Council (AP/Washington Times, 11/7).