ACT UP/Los Angeles picket sign collection, circa 1987-1996

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Summary

Creators:
ACT UP Los Angeles (Organization)
Abstract:
Picket signs created by members of ACT UP/Los Angeles, circa 1987-1996. These signs were displayed during demonstrations and protests organized by ACT UP/Los Angeles to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to advocate for more support services, funding, and medical research.
Extent:
158 Items
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] ACT UP/Los Angeles Picket Sign Collection, Coll2018-027, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises picket signs created by members of ACT UP/Los Angeles, circa 1987-1996. These signs were displayed during demonstrations and protests organized by ACT UP/Los Angeles to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to advocate for more support services, funding, and medical research. In particular, these signs were displayed in a variety of demonstrations and events, including the Republican National Convention, the Democratic National Convention, protests at LA-area hospitals, as well as pride parades. In addition, several of the signs in this collection feature names and faces of Los Angeles activists who died of complications from AIDS.

Biographical / historical:

Los Angeles activists, inspired by ACT UP New York and energized by the 1987 March on Washington, organized to form an ACT UP chapter in Los Angeles. On December 04, 1987, ACT UP/Los Angeles (ACT UP/LA) met for the first time in West Hollywood. The organization focused on improving AIDS healthcare services and networking with a broad coalition of progressive groups. The chapter utilized non-violent direct action as a means to draw media attention and challenge the status quo. Members were offered civil disobedience training and support teams were formed to track confrontations and arrests. Official actions were approved by the membership; however, a number of affinity groups, such as Stop AIDS Now Or Else (SANOE), sponsored their own actions. Nationally ACT UP actions brought about the transformation of the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) medication trial and approval processes, expanded AIDS healthcare services including those for women and prisoners, and challenged immigration and naturalization policies.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Raymond Reece, September 13 and 19, 2008.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Cooper Moll, 2019.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. Digital images of all 157 items are available on the USC Digital Library. Access to the physical items is restricted.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] ACT UP/Los Angeles Picket Sign Collection, Coll2018-027, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Website