Washington, DC – May 15, 2025
Yesterday, Housing Works staff joined forces with allies from Health GAP, Treatment Action Group, and other longtime partners in a powerful act of civil disobedience on Capitol Hill. Together, we disrupted HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before he could deliver his testimony at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing—putting the truth front and center: RFK Jr.’s deadly policies are endangering people living with HIV.
Among our bold coalition was none other than Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, standing in solidarity with frontline advocates to demand accountability for a budget proposal that guts lifesaving care.
As Secretary Kennedy prepared to speak, our activists rose up with signs and chants of “RFK Kills People With AIDS,” bringing national attention to his administration’s sweeping and dangerous cuts to HIV programs. These proposed cuts include:
-
Firing over 10,000 HHS staff
-
Cancelling $759 million in HIV research grants
-
Eliminating PEPFAR-funded maternal and child health programs, which support over 1 million people globally
-
Slashing services for LGBTQ+, Black, Brown, and low-income communities—those most impacted by HIV
The protest was met with aggressive force. Capitol Police physically assaulted and verbally abused multiple demonstrators as they were forcibly removed. Two activists—Asia Russell of Health GAP and our very own Rosalind Casillas, a dedicated case manager at Bailey House—were arrested and falsely accused of resisting. Both were detained overnight.
Rosalind’s bravery exemplifies the very soul of Housing Works: a refusal to back down in the face of injustice and a commitment to stand with—and for—those most marginalized.
Thanks to our collective action, this protest has made national and international headlines. Here’s how the media is covering it:
-
USA Today: “RFK Jr.'s HHS budget draws protests and arrests at Senate hearing”
-
NBC News (Video): “Protesters interrupt RFK Jr. during Senate hearing on HHS budget”
-
The Guardian: “Protesters interrupt RFK Jr. at Senate hearing over HIV cuts”
-
Yahoo News: “RFK Jr. visibly startled by protesters accusing him of killing people with AIDS”
-
Fox News: “RFK Jr.'s Senate hearing disrupted by screaming protesters”
-
Associated Press (Video): “Watch: Protesters removed during RFK Jr.'s Senate testimony”
This moment demands more than headlines. It demands action.
Here’s What You Can Do:
Call your Senators and Representatives
Tell them to reject RFK Jr.’s FY26 budget and restore full funding to global and domestic HIV/AIDS programs.
Share the protest video
Use your voice and your platform—let the world see the truth behind these cuts.
Join Us at Upcoming Actions
We need all hands on deck. Stay tuned for updates on the next protest—we’ll be showing up until justice wins.
This is what resistance looks like. And we’re just getting started.
#EndTheEpidemic #FightBack #ActUp #HousingWorks
