ACT UP Protest Revs Up Times Square

Ummm... That's a REALLY large rainbow flag you've got there.

I just came back from the ACT UP Protest in Times Square, where the newly revived organization staged a protest of the recent comments by top U.S. military officer and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, who commented this past Monday that gays shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military, as homosexuals are "immoral."

Turning out for the protest in front of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Times Square were pioneer activist Larry Kramer, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force honcho Matt Foreman, activist Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, writer/activist Michelangelo Signorile, rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker, and former NJ governor Jim McGreevey, who handily shmoozed with the press.



McGreevey searches for a sound bite. And a protestor's "fabulous" sign.

Rainbow banners were hoisted, folks chanted ("Fire Pace! Hire Gays!" and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, General Pace can go to hell!"), signs waved, and all in all it was an avid, peaceful event that carried the cool statement of, basically... "Why do the governmental powers-that-be have to be such bigoted jerks?" and "Bring our troops home!" and "You're calling us immoral? Your war is immoral!" (Heard that!) Seeds seemed to be planted for further protests and actions. Keep your eyes and ears open...



Matt Foreman, Larry Kramer and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum are knocking at the door of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Center. But no one's home.

The hour-long event ended with Foreman and Rabbi Kleinbaum and a few others leading their large rainbow banner and protest out into 7th Avenue, stopping traffic, and then the arrest of Foreman and Kleinbaum, as part of this act of civil disobedience.

Hey, it's a start.

Some video from the event:

Protesters in front of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Times Square

NGLTF Force Executive Director Matt Foreman, Larry Kramer and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum knocking on the recruiting center doors, and commenting on Gen. Pace's comments

The protest heading out into 7th Avenue, and the cops gathering up the large rainbow banner.



The media was on hand, naturally.

More after the jump, too.

Retired NYC Cop and gay activist Edgar Rodriguez (he founded the Gay Officer's Action League) hoists a sign. And the protestors make some noise.

Veteran activists Michelangelo Signorile and Ann Northrop; the U.S. Armed Forces big-screen gazes down over the protest.

Longtime activist and journalist Andy Humm (left) interviews activist Corey Johnson and NYC political player/activist Allen Roskoff.

Some protestors got serious... One "Queer Guerilla" created his own NY Times headline; and one activist aunt wears her thoughts on the war.

And as Foreman gets cuffed by the police for civil disobedience and blocking traffic, the cops gather up the rainbow banner.

CBS News on Logo was also there. Watch for their report soon.

And there are more photos and coverage on Towleroad, via Joe.My.God. and from those witty kids at Queerty.

Comments

[Franky]

Glad to see the coverage of this

[George and Stephen Miller-Zauner]

THANK YOU ALL
This is way over due to stand up in mass with many notable people in our support.
This action should now be followed in every major city in all 50 states.
All we ask is equality no more no less and until that is seen by the majority we must all WAKE UP.

[Joseph]

I’m so extremely disgusted about General Peter Pace comment about gay, lesbian, and bisexual. He is such a douche bag. I have served in the United States Navy for four years, actually three and half years.

I have been a Deck Seaman as a paint custodian, a volunteer Hospital Man on board a ship, and as Religious Program Specialist in the US Navy and Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan.

I’ve met a lot of good people in the US Navy and Marine Corps and they knew I was gay, but it didn’t bothered them because I work harder and that’s why they like me and doesn’t care if I’m gay or not. While I was in the Navy, it’s like I’m a woman who trying to do a better job to be recognize.

I have been harassed because I’m gay. I couldn’t report it because I didn’t know what will happen. Would I be kicked out and get dishonorable discharge? I refused to get kicked out so, I just play along and hid my sexuality.

There are people like me who are willing and sacrificing their lives to protect our country and not just our country, the world. I’m just but one of the many who served and serving this country.

Is in it ironic, the people who condemned homosexuality are the one who are in the closet, for example, ex- Pastor Ted Haggard. I won’t be surprise when Gen. Peter Pace comes out from the closet.