L.A. coalition demands AIDS unit at hospital
1988 1988-06Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 7 →
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LOS ANGELES—As part of a week of activities aimed at increasing public awareness of AIDS and at demanding a governmental response to the AIDS crisis, a picket-line demonstration and overnight vigil were held at County General Hospital on April 30.
About 75 picketers, organized by the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power/Los Angeles (ACT UP/LA), protested the hospital's refusal to install an AIDS ward. Los Angeles General Hospital is one of the few major metropolitan publić hospitals which does not provide either an AIDS unit or specialized care in other forms.
A second focus of the demonstration called for an end to the practice of allowing anti-gay religious ministers to have free rein in visiting AIDS patients. These ministers have become notorious for imposing themselves upon patients against their will. They often attempt to "save" the patients by urging them to "repent for the evils of being homosexual."
After picketing the hospital's main gate, the demonstrators entered the hospital and set up a symbolic "James Baldwin Memorial AIDS unit." Police were called, and they ordered the peaceful vigil to disperse.
Mark Kostopoulous, David Niblett, and John Fall refused to do so and were arrested for "lodging without permission." They are scheduled to appear in court on June 1. For information on their support and other activities, call ACT UP/LA, (213) 668-2357.
The annual Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and Festival will be held June 25 and June 26. It will include a focus on AIDS research and funding, and AIDS information and health booths. For details, call Christopher Street West at (213) 656-6553. to, Calif., on Sunday, May 1.
State Legislature.
Judd/Socialist Action Brad SOCIALIST ACTION JUNE 1988 7