A group of activists stormed Kevin McCarthy’s office on Capitol Hill on Monday. They staged a sit-in protest demanding he fund a program to fight HIV.
In several videos, at least three activists, two men and one woman, can be seen gathered together while chanting and arguing with Capitol staff who were trying to get them to leave. According to The Hill, Capitol Police arrested several of these activists involved in the protest at Republican McCarthy's office.
#ÚLTIMAHORA | Un grupo de manifestantes ocupa la oficina de Kevin McCarthy exigiendo que vuelva a autorizar el PEPFAR, el programa de ayuda para el VIH/SIDA.pic.twitter.com/ldYkqq0xSz
— VOZ (@VozMediaUSA) September 11, 2023
The activists were members of the organizations Housing Works and Health GAP. According to these organizations, seven activists were arrested including CEO Charles King. Both groups are calling on McCarthy to pass the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR.
BREAKING: We’re proud to be with @HealthGAP occupying the D.C. office of @SpeakerMcCarthy calling on him to PASS PEPFAR NOW.
This global AIDS program has saved 25 million lives. We need a CLEAN 5-YEAR REAUTHORIZATION from Congress. pic.twitter.com/njQsNpDcLO
— Housing Works (@housingworks) September 11, 2023
According to The Hill, the PEPFAR program will expire on September 30 if it isn't reauthorized.
