David France’s documentary “How to Survive a Plague” reveals the history and struggles of ACT UP and TAG at a time when homophobia and government indifference was common. The activist organizations were able to influence both the government and drug companies about the need for new treatments for AIDS, especially within gay communities. These organizations were able to transform AIDS from a death sentence to a manageable condition.

Like our previous discussions in class, we can see the power struggles within the government and the people, the influence of community resistance, and growth machines. ACT UP created opportunities for community change through protests and marches and demanded change from the FDA, NIH, and presidential candidates about the prevention of death for those infected with AIDS. The number of deaths rose from 43 cases in 1981 to more than 6 million 10 years later. They needed change, and they needed it now.

ACT UP members took matters into their own hands and spent time reading and learning more about AIDS- both the social and scientific issues. They educated members of the coalition by bringing in chemists and nurses and created their own glossary for AIDS terms. The activist group took the intellectual route in order to fight officials like Bush and Jesse Helms. In fact, not only did the AIDS coalition provide important information about the effects of AIDS, but also about the importance of condoms and the need for protected sex.

Through historical and community knowledge, as in our community projects, ACT UP was able to strategize their activist plans. They were able to sit in on FDA and NIH meetings and watched the scientists conduct experiments on protease inhibitors, which led to the development of AZT and DDI. However, the organization’s persistent measures to speed up the process to release drugs onto the market was a mistake, since proper research and experiments were not done on its initial release. The development of a new drug, one that actually worked, changed history. This is the moment where members of ACT UP and TAG were able to say, “Wow. We were the reason behind that.” Thanks to their rallies, protests, and constant criticism of the government and drug companies, ACT UP was able to change history and save more than 6 million people from the destruction of AIDS.

From ACT UP and TAG, we learn the valuable lesson that community change can occur even when there is little hope or motivation for these individuals. We see the strong influence of community planning and how it can be successful with the right strategies, determination, and dedication.