RUBIO KILLS PEOPLE WITH AIDS

Jul 1
2 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Ben’s fingers beautifully tackle his Android’s screen; gathering the moments after, after we couldn’t get into Marco Rubio’s Senate Budget Hearing, after we stacked ourselves in line with the mini Neo Nazis—

Women who have been brainwashed to give up their rights for shitty highlights with

their counterparts who hold authority over their beings

with their wet, slicked back hair;

80s hair trends that I dig, I despise, that seemed mythical

These caucasian clowns gargling on the Klan’s Kool-Aid in their lungs.

There are other activists stacked in this line as well— Cuba, Iran, Palestine. Code Pink. Medea Benjamin, the legendary activist herself, is kind— inquires about our cause. Ben and Medea exchange familiarities. I take their photograph on Ben’s Android.

Ben’s Android, a character in this tale.

Medea informs us it is unlikely we’ll get into the hearing. Folks began cuing at 8AM for the 11AM hearing. She does it gently, leave us with some hope.

Anthony— rejected at the gate. A security guard halts him with a hand on his chest. He was one of the first inline. Tells us they recognize his swagger. They know what his up to and deny him access to the public hearing.

American Democracy 2026.

We begin to ruffle words on what to do—

Ben proposes we do the action in the hallway.

Anthony proposes we do the action in the hallway.

We’re doing the action in the hallway.

I concur. 4:50AM train. 2 hours of sleep after watching the hour and half series finale of Euphoria...

Two small bags passed around with the Housing Works signage—

RUBIO KILLS PEOPLE WITH AIDS.

I am passed one of the two bags… the murmurs of what do go… when to do… how to do the action grow within our group of ten souls. Not reaching everyone just yet. Ben and I check in.

We didn’t come this far to do nothing.

Whispers from other activists that the hearing is only permitting 10 seats for the public.

The Kool-Aid Staffers and Interns fill the seats.

The Security Guard declares—

We are at capacity. There is a spill over room down the hallway to watch the hearing.

I rip out a sign. I pass the bag to our not quiet sure comrades.

We’re doing it. We’re doing it now. I press.

I charge the 15 press photographers who had cued up opposite us. The biggest rationale for our new hallway action plan. They’re all lined up— with nothing to do.

I charge the media, Ben on my tail.

Our voices fill the halls—

MARCO RUBIO KILLS PEOPLE WITH AIDS !

PEPFAR SAVES LIVES !

Ben’s fingers clank his Android’s screen.

Our legs a bit tired form our jostled trot to the 1:20PM train back to New York.

My wrist ache from the zip-tie cuffs.

Through the clank of his phalanges, I ask Ben;

I know you must have one—

But what is your writing practice?

Morning. Cup of Coffee.

You got to write, brother.