Hello and welcome to this day in esoteric political history from Radiotopia.

My name is Jody Avergan.

This day, September 5, 1991 in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Arlington, Virginia, a group of activists

arrive at the home of North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms.

Using ladders, several of them climbed up on the roof of the house,

and from there they unfurled a giant piece of fabric

which was then inflated by their comrades on the front lawn and soon the

senator's house was surrounded by a giant yellow condom reading a condom to

stop unsafe politics Helms is deadlier than a virus. This stunt, this act of protest,

was led by members of Act Up, a group that worked to raise AIDS awareness and fight to end

the epidemic.

And in this particular moment was protesting Helms

because he was one of the most vocal opponents

of funding AIDS research in addition

to being one of the most anti-gay members of Congress.

So here to discuss Act Up versus Jesse Helms and what you do when you wake up in the morning

and there is a giant condom over the roof of your house. Common experience we've all had. common

common experience we've all had.

Exactly. As always,

Nicolhammer of Columbia and Kelly Carter Jackson of Wellesley.

Hello there.

Hello, Tony.

...