ACT UP/Los Angeles

Administrative History

Los Angeles activists, including member of the Lavender Left, inspired by ACT UP New York and energized by the 1987 March on Washington returned to form an ACT UP chapter. On December 04, 1987, ACT UP/Los Angeles (ACT UP/LA) met for the first time in West Hollywood. The organization focused on improving AIDS healthcare services and networking with a broad coalition of progressive groups. The chapter utilized non-violent direct action as a means to draw media attention and challenge the status quo. Members were offered civil disobedience training and support teams were formed to track confrontations and arrests. Official actions were approved by the membership; however, a number of affinity groups, such as Stop AIDS Now Or Else (SANOE), sponsored their own actions. Nationally ACT UP actions brought about the transformation of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) medication trial and approval processes, expanded AIDS healthcare services including those for women and prisoners, and challenged immigration and naturalization policies.

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