WASHINGTON — Three female AIDS activists saying they wanted to highlight the “naked truth” about potential spending cuts in HIV programs were arrested Tuesday after taking their clothes off in the lobby of House Speaker John Boehner’s office.
The trio had the words “AIDS cuts kill” painted on their bodies and had linked arms with four nude male protesters. The nude protesters, and dozens of clothed protesters chanted: “People with AIDS are under attack. What do we do? Fight back.”
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The three were arrested by Capitol police as they mingled with other protesters in the hall outside Boehner’s district office after putting their clothes back on. The naked male protesters appeared to have left.
“People with AIDS are sick and tired of being pushed over the cliff,” said Jennifer Flynn, 40, of New York City, who was arrested. “We need to make sure they stop going after people with AIDS.”
The three were charged with lewd and indecent acts under the District of Columbia’s disorderly conduct law, a Capitol police spokesman said.
The protest occurred as congressional leaders and President Obama seek a deal to avert automatic spending cuts and tax increases in January.
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