AIDS activists protest at White House

Washington Blade:

U.S. Parks Police on Tuesday arrested 13 protesters who gathered in front of the White House.

Sergeant Paul Brooks, spokesperson for the U.S. Parks Police, told the Blade that those taken into custody failed to obey officers who told them not to stand on the sidewalk in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Housing Works President Charles King, members of ACT UP Philadelphia, the Prevention Justice Alliance and Health Gap were among those arrested as they tried to tie red ribbons with condoms, syringes and other items to the White House fence.

The arrests took place after thousands took part in the “We Can End AIDS” march from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and other parts of downtown Washington to Lafayette Park. Participants urged President Obama, members of Congress and other lawmakers around the world to provide more resources to fight HIV/AIDS and protect human rights for those living with the virus.