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.

This flier, produced by ACT UP/Seattle, advertises a rally at the Space Needle on December 1, 1991, World AIDS Day, to demand federal funding for drug treatment and a federal needle exchange program. The flier lists reasons to support a needle exchange program, including that it does not increase drug use, does reduce HIV/AIDS transmission, and is cheap compared to medical care for people living with AIDS. The flier touts the effectiveness of a needle exchange program in Seattle and King County in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence compared to other areas of the US. It also includes quotes from a national commission on AIDS which support expanding drug treatment and reducing legal barriers to buying and possessing clean injection equipment.