ACT UP - Needle Exchange Trial
6 images Created 10 Apr 2020
Gregg Bordowitz, Velma Campbell, Cynthia Cochran, Richard Elovich, Phillip Flores, Debra Levine, Kathryn Otter, Jon Stuen Parker, Monica Pearl and Dan Keith Williams were arrested on March 6, 1990 after they set up a table in Lower Manhattan and tried to give clean hypodermic needles to drug addicts to prevent them from getting AIDS. Most of the eight defendants were members of ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power).
They were acquitted of needle-possession charges by Judge Laura E. Drager on the grounds that the AIDS epidemic was such a grave medical emergency that their illegal conduct was justified.
During the six-day trial, which took place in April of 1991, the former Health Commissioner, Dr. Stephen C. Joseph, who started the pilot needle-exchange program, testified in behalf of the defendants.
They were acquitted of needle-possession charges by Judge Laura E. Drager on the grounds that the AIDS epidemic was such a grave medical emergency that their illegal conduct was justified.
During the six-day trial, which took place in April of 1991, the former Health Commissioner, Dr. Stephen C. Joseph, who started the pilot needle-exchange program, testified in behalf of the defendants.
