Housing activists dressed as bagels chained themselves together and blocked traffic at Grand Army Plaza on World AIDS Day not far from the Brooklyn Library “Bagel Breakfast” held by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg for World AIDS Day.
The action was to draw attention to Bloomberg’s attacks on AIDS housing services for the poor, reported Housing Works. Nine people were arrested.
AIDS activists feel that Bloomberg is being hypocritical. Each December, he holds his World AIDS Day Bagel Breakfast, and then each January he proposes devastating cuts to AIDS services, such as housing and nutrition, for low-income people with HIV.
Those attending the “Bagel Breakfast” had to walk past the chanting protestors; many dressed as bagels, all carrying signs. Some signs read: “Over 30 % for rent is too much dough” addressing the issue that Mayor Bloomberg convinced Gov. Paterson to veto the “30 % Rent Cap” bill that would have provided housing security for 10,000 poor New Yorkers with AIDS.
The protests and street action are to keep pressure on the mayor against the budget cuts to HIV and AIDS services.
