ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) is a grassroots political activist group founded in New York in 1987 to advocate for immediate and meaningful action to fight the AIDS crisis and end homophobia. The organization's tactics include the use of direct action, such as protest and civil disobedience, advocacy, and work to change legislation and public policy. The Seattle Chapter of ACT UP was founded in early 1989, with one of its first projects being a needle exchange program to prevent the spread of AIDS .

Here, four Seattle ACT UP activists block the main door into Mayor Norm Rice's office during a demonstration in June 1990. Assistant to the mayor Robert Verna, left, attempts to negotiate with the protesters.

Caption information source: "AIDS activist group rages against system" by Kerry Godes, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 3, 1990, pp.1, 6
Caption information source: "Drug users can get clean needles today" by Tom Paulsen, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 2, 1989, pp. 1,8