The March 29 demonstration and die-in in front of Caldwell’s was part of San Francisco’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the formation of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), the leading AIDS activist group in the late 80s and early 90s. The commemoration was organized by the newly formed ACT UP/Bay Area and the veteran radical group Gay Shame.

Meanwhile, in New York City, 500-1,000 protesters marched to Wall Street to call for universal healthcare. About 25 people were arrested at the infamous golden bull statue. No one was arrested in San Francisco. I spoke at the SF event, calling on queers to take back the Castro from the real-estate interests that have raped and pillaged it for decades.

The first ACT UP was formed in New York City after author/playwright Larry Kramer gave an impassioned speech at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center in the West Village in March 1987 in which he called for a renewed activism to fight AIDS. At the time, then-President Ronald Reagan had already established his legacy of doing nothing about the disease that had already killed thousands in the queer community.

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