Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1992)
Jos« o s i ▼ august 1 0 0 2 T 7 ACT UP protests Astra AIDS activists around the country held simul taneous actions June 11 against AIDS profiteer ing. Protesters in San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles let out their anger at Astra Pharmaceuti cals, the company that produces Foscamet, a drug that impedes an opportunistic infection that causes vision loss in more than 20 percent of people with AIDS. They’re incensed because Astra charges $21,500 a year to people with AIDS who need Foscamet. Foscamet is the most expensive AIDS drug in history. “I’m here because somebody has to speak out about AIDS and against the drug empires that are ripping us off and letting people die,” Frank Rios, a protester in San Francisco, said. The activists argue that Foscamet is one of the simplest and cheapest compounds to produce. They claim that there is no justification for Astra’s price, even when taking into account research and development costs. “Every AIDS organization has been talking with them for over a year and they refuse to budge,” an activist whose lover died of CMV, the infection treated by Foscamet, said. “No one can afford this.” “I can tell you that people with insurance are hesitant to use the drug because it will cap out their insurance quickly, and then they won’t be able to get other treatments,” G ’dali Braverman, an ACT UP member said. Amid chants, a die-in and showers of blood stained money. Dr. Andrew Zysman, ACT UP Golden Gate’s spokesperson at the protest, said that before Astra realized its drug could be mar keted to AIDS patients, the price of Foscamet was considerably lower than it is today. Zysman said he did not know what that earlier price was. “I don’t know what the price was before, but I am certain they did not charge $21,500,” Zysman said. “This disease strikes people as they’re dying. The drug doesn’t save lives, it just gives people a little dignity as they’re dying,” he said. Rachel Timoner There is only us Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton departed from the text of his acceptance speech July 16 and made reference to gays. “It is time to heal America,” Clinton said. “And so we must say to every American: Look beyond the stereotypes that blind us. We need each other. All of us, we need each other. We don’t have a person to waste. And yet for too long, politicians told the most of us that are doing all right that what’s really wrong with America is the rest of us: them. Them, the minorities. Them, the liberals. Them, the poor. Them, the homeless. Them, the people with disabilities. Them, the gays. We got to where we really them’ed our selves to death. Them and them and them. But this is America. There is no them; there is only us.” In other convention news, 10,000 AIDS activ ists marched from Columbus Circle to Times Square July 14, demanding the Bush administra tion step up its fight against the disease. Representing a 300-group coalition called United for AIDS Action, the protesters demanded more attention from the White House, national ized health care, improved research and educa tion efforts and an end to discrimination against HIV-positive people and people with AIDS. Clinton previously had endorsed all the de mands except that for socialized medicine. In stead, he “will deliver affordable health care to every American through a national health-care plan that...expands choices and guarantees cover age.” Actress Jessica Lange, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and New York Mayor David Dinkins addressed the Times Square rally. Meanwhile, a gay man with AIDS addressed In his acceptance speech, Clinton promised, the Democratic delegates and prime-time TV “...an America in which health care is a right, not viewers July 14. Bob Hattoy, an environmental a privilege; in which we tell all our people, ‘Your adviser to the Clinton campaign, said the Bush government will have the courage, finally, to take administration’s AIDS efforts are inadequate and on the heath-care profiteers and make health care discriminatory. affordable for every family’.’’ “AIDS doesn’t discriminate, but the George Rex Wockner Bush White House does,” he said. “We need a president who will take on the drug companies that drive AIDS patients into poverty. We need a Healing global wounds president who isn’t afraid of the word ‘condom’.” Hattoy urged delegates to “vote as if our lives gathering in Nevada depended on it. Mine does, yours could, and we An unprecedented 10 days of events will take all have so much to live for," he said. place in Las Vegas and at the Nevada Test Site Oct. 2 through 12 to demand an end to 500 years of injustice to Native Americans and an end to nuclear testing on native lands. Events will in clude an Indigenous People’s Forum, including testimony, presentation and workshops; a dem onstration at the Nevada Test Site Operations Office in Las Vegas; completion of the final leg of two 3,000-mile Walks across America; an en campment adjacent to the testing site; a Native- led healing ceremony; a multicultural rally; and mass non-violent direct action. For more infor mation, contact PO Box 26725, Las Vegas, NV 89126-00725, or phone (702) 386-9834. Areyou myour commercial bank? You’re probably tired of all the big bank mergers lately-not to mention their low rates on your savings. At Washington Mutual, we have an alter native. Open a new 12-month time deposit and you’ll get higher rates than most com mercial banks-plus bonus interest Time Deposit Bonus Interest $5,000-$9,999 $10,000-$19,999 $20,000 or more $25 $50 $100 We’ll also include our “Bump Rate”” fea ture that lets you adjust to higher interest rates during your initial term. And, naturally, we’ll give you free Classic Checking” as long as you have any other account with us. Surprised? Don’t be. This is what you get from a consumer bank that concentrates on people, instead of big business. (Our gener osity does have limits, though. This offer applies only to funds new to Washington Mutual. And just one bonus per household.) Call 1-800-562-3565, or your local Washington Mutual Financial Center. And talk to a consumer bank that has your best interest in mind. Merge with Washington Mutual Substantial penalty for early withdrawal 1-800-562-3565 FDIC Insured
