AIDS activists disrupt Thompson speech at conference

BARCELONA, Spain -- In a scene reminiscent of the early days of the AIDS epidemic, activists stormed the stage Tuesday and prevented U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson from delivering a scheduled speech here at the 14th International AIDS Conference.

Thompson later stoically delivered his 20-minute talk, but the only ones who heard it were the phalanx of security men who separated him from the demonstrators.

"We know what he is going to say, and we are tired of his lies," said Asia Russell of ACT-UP, one of the organizers of the demonstration.

Italian activists later shut down a large booth run by U.S. drug company Gilead Sciences Inc., protesting that the company would communicate only with physicians in Italy.

Protesters take action

Another group had shut down a booth run by Hoffmann-La Roche on Monday. The activists are planning a protest against the Coca-Cola Co. on Wednesday because the company, one of the largest employers in Africa, does not provide AIDS health care to all its employees.

Thompson had only gotten a few words out of his mouth when about 25 protesters broke into the room, blowing shrill whistles and shouting "Shame, shame!" Thompson stopped talking and, after about 15 minutes, the protesters left.

But when he began speaking again, they returned, resuming their loud activities with an assist from some audience members.

After Thompson finished his speech, heard only by security, and left, other speakers were able to deliver their talks without problems.

"The United States is passionately committed to this international fight," Thompson told reporters backstage.