Petrelis Files

ACT UP/Paris in SF Chron, Wash Times For Immigration Reform

From opposite ends of the political spectrum two American newspapers today, the liberal San Francisco Chronicle and the ultra-conservative Washington Times, are running the same story about immigration reform battles in France.

The article by freelancer Elizabeth Bryant examines deportation and immigration matters under the conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, but doesn't mention the gay and AIDS protest group ACT UP and their demonstration this week in Paris, calling for liberal policies.

But both the SF Chronicle and Washington Times use photos from ACT UP's protest, and it does my old activist heart good to see my French brothers and sisters hitting the streets and making news in the classic inverted pink triangle t-shirts, only the wording has slightly changed. The t-shirts read "Silence = Mort."

Yes, silence still equals death for far too many gays and people with AIDS/HIV on our precious planet and I salute ACT UP/Paris for remaining active and extremely visible, still calling for necessary changes to improve lives everywhere.

Merci, mes amis pour votre vigilance et solidarite!

(From the Washington Times. No photo credit provided.)