Dozens of AIDS activists gathered
Wednesday outside of City Hall in New York City to protest Mayor
Michael Bloomberg's proposed budget cuts to AIDS services. Nine
activist were arrested, reports Gay
City News.
The mayor has proposed eliminating
nearly $10 million to programs that assist people living with
HIV/AIDS with housing needs.
Police took nine demonstrators into
custody after they moved their protest into City Hall and began
chanting “What do we want? Housing for people with AIDS! When do
we want it? Now!” in front of the mayor's second floor office.
The event was organized by members of
Housing Works and New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN).
Housing Works operates a number of
thrift shops around the city and uses the proceeds to help people
living with HIV/AIDS.
The protesters were charged with
disorderly conduct, held overnight and released on Thursday.
The activists say Bloomberg has it
within his discretion to use federal stimulus money to fill a nearly
$20 million deficit in public health services. A claim the mayor
denies.