Full Breakdown
ACT UP Protests Palantir: A Call for Health Care Over Military Spending
3/24/2026, 4:21:33 AM
Overview of the Demonstration
On a Saturday afternoon in New York City, ACT UP, a prominent HIV advocacy group, organized a demonstration outside Palantir Technologies, a software company known for its surveillance technology and contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest, which involved dozens of participants lying still on the pavement, was reminiscent of die-ins staged by AIDS advocacy groups since the 1980s. This event marked ACT UP's 39th anniversary and highlighted the group's ongoing concerns regarding government spending priorities.
Core Issues Raised
Protesters gathered at the New York City AIDS Memorial before marching to Palantir's office in Manhattan's Flatiron District. They voiced their discontent over what they perceive as disproportionate government funding for military and immigration enforcement compared to healthcare, particularly HIV care. Eric Sawyer, a founder of ACT UP New York, criticized the Trump administration for allocating more resources to military endeavors and ICE than to health care initiatives. He stated, “We think those priorities are way out of line with American priorities.”
The protest also addressed broader issues, including cuts to federal funding for HIV care, which have reportedly reached hundreds of millions of dollars under the Trump administration. In contrast, funding for ICE has increased by tens of billions, alongside over $12 billion directed towards military efforts against Iran.
Honoring Activist Legacies
The demonstration also served as a tribute to Mark Milano, an HIV activist who passed away in January after decades of advocacy. Jennifer Flynn Walker, an organizer with Popular Democracy, emphasized the importance of honoring Milano's legacy, stating, “It was really important to me and Popular Democracy to be able to be here and honor him and his legacy.”
Future Advocacy Efforts
Looking ahead, ACT UP organizers, including Mark Hannay, indicated that the protest was part of a larger, ongoing effort to raise awareness about health care issues as the midterm elections approach. Hannay noted the importance of informing voters about candidates who support healthcare and social programs while opposing military spending and ICE.
Criticism of Current Activism
Despite the progress made in HIV care, Sawyer remarked that some perceive a diminished urgency in activism today, stating, “People are putting less of their life at risk in doing activism.” This sentiment underscores the challenges faced by advocacy groups in maintaining momentum and urgency in their efforts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We think those priorities are way out of line with American priorities.” — Eric Sawyer, Founder of ACT UP New York
- “Mark Milano really dedicated much of his adult life to making sure that people around the world had access to HIV medications,” — Jennifer Flynn Walker, Organizer with Popular Democracy
- “It’s not about protesting and saying, ‘I want this,’ but really over-researching [so] that they have to take your recommendation,” — Ivy Kwan Arce, Longtime Organizer
This protest reflects ACT UP's commitment to advocating for health care funding and social justice, while also honoring the legacy of those who have fought for the rights of people living with HIV.
