"More than two dozen activists descended on Sen. Susan Collins' (R-ME) office on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to protest cuts to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an HIV-prevention and treatment program that has saved an estimated 26 million lives worldwide. Five of the pro-PEPFAR demonstrators were arrested by U.S. Capitol Police. Activists from the same advocacy coalition - consisting of the groups Housing Works, Health GAP, and Disability Voters of Maine - "delivered mock 'body bags'" to Collins' office in Portland, Maine, according to the groups' statement."
""Activists were reacting to deadly harms caused by Collins's unwillingness to hold Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought accountable for illegally obstructing the release of already appropriated funding for lifesaving HIV treatment and prevention," the groups' press release said. Blake Kernen, Collins's press secretary, told The Washington Blade on Wednesday that "a member of Sen. Collins's staff offered to speak with the group, but they continued to shout over her and refused the offer.""
More than two dozen activists descended on Senator Susan Collins' office to protest cuts to PEPFAR, delivering mock body bags and staging demonstrations in both Washington and Portland. Five demonstrators were arrested by U.S. Capitol Police in Washington, and Charles King of Housing Works was among those detained. Activists accused Collins of failing to hold OMB Director Russell Vought accountable for obstructing the release of already appropriated HIV treatment and prevention funds. Collins's press secretary said a staffer offered to speak but protesters shouted and refused. A total of 30 HIV/AIDS activists participated in the actions.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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