Author: César Carrasco

Date: UNKNOWN

Demonstration: Puerto Rican Day Parade, Huracán SIDA

People: César Carrasco, Juan Mendez

Description: The E.L.A. refers to the Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico - or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Latina/o Caucus used this poster in several demonstrations including during their first appearance in NYC's Puerto Rican Day Parade. The poster is a startling reminder of the LC's critical stance against the Puerto Rican government's negligent response to the AIDS epidemic.

Regardless of the differences in opinion about the issue of Puerto Rican sovereignty, the overarching rationale of the Latino Caucus was that the AIDS epidemic was a disaster on the island - even worse than in the US. From an investigative report by a journalist from the Boston Globe we learned that the government in San Juan had a "ton" of AZT stashed somewhere instead of distributing to HIV patients. At the time, this was still the only approved drug for the treatment of HIV infection. EL E.L.A. ME MATA is among the approved visuals for the ACT UP NY action in PR.

Collection: New York Public Library, ACT UP New York Records, Box 30 Folder 1, Latina/o Caucus