21 arrested in Manhattan, protesting drug cost

[J.R.E.]

Some News :

AIDS drug cost protest in NY leads to 21 arrests
31 May 2006 17:39:23 GMT
Source: Reuters
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 NEW YORK, May 31 (Reuters) - Twenty-one AIDS activists were arrested on Wednesday after chaining themselves together and refusing to leave the Manhattan building housing the offices of John Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The protesters unfurled a giant letter detailing their demands, including lower prices for AIDS drugs, and said they would not leave the lobby until Bolton accepted the letter. Police later removed the chanting protesters, carrying some who had gone limp, witnesses said.

A police spokeswoman said the protest was peaceful and the 21 were being charged with resisting arrest.

"We believe that universal access to AIDS treatment in the United States and around the world by 2010 is achievable but only if the United States commits major new funding and stops promoting new rights for big drug companies," AIDS activist Matthew Kavanagh told Reuters.

"We know now we can actually create generic drugs for $150 per patient per year for AIDS instead of the $10,000 to $12,000 per year that big drug companies charge," Kavanagh said.

A U.N. General Assembly Special Session on AIDS is due to end Friday with the adoption of a declaration setting out a new strategy for the next phase of the global drive against AIDS.

Link :   http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N31349827.htm



Ray

[newbernswiss]

News from a year ago, what has changed, what has stayed the same

[Miss Philicia]

Yeah, my first reaction was "OMG John Bolton's risen from the dead!"