Naked AIDS activists, with painted slogans on their bodies, protest inside the lobby of the Capitol Hill office of House Speaker John Boehner.(Photo: AP, Susan Walsh)
WASHINGTON -- Three women AIDS activists saying they wanted to
highlight the "naked truth" about potential spending cuts in HIV
programs were arrested Tuesday after taking their clothes off in the
lobby of House Speaker John Boehner's office.
The trio had the
words "AIDS cuts kill" painted on their bodies and had linked arms with
four men who also disrobed as part of the protest. The nude protesters,
along with dozens of other clothed demonstrators chanted slogans,
including: "People with AIDS are under attack. What do we do? Fight
back."
The three women were arrested by Capitol Police as they
mingled with other protesters in the hall outside Boehner's district
office after putting their clothes back on. The naked male protesters
appeared to have left.
"People with AIDS are sick and tired of
being pushed over the cliff," said Jennifer Flynn, 40, of New York City,
who was among those arrested. "We need to make sure they stop going
after people with AIDS."
Michael Tikili, 26, of New York City, said he is HIV-positive and depends on Medicaid for treatment.
"Just the idea of these programs being cut is horrible," Tikili said.
The
protest occurred as congressional leaders and President Barack Obama
seek a deal to avert automatic spending cuts and tax increases in
January. A coalition of AIDS activist groups gathering in Washington for
Saturday's World AIDS Day organized the protest.
Associated Press