Activists to hold Thanksgiving protest outside Sen. John Kerry's home

BOSTON (State House News Service) - Activists plan to hold an "empty" Thanksgiving dinner outside Sen. John Kerry's Beacon Hill home Wednesday afternoon.

In an effort to bring attention to cuts in funding for programs used by individuals living with HIV, ACT UP members plan at 1:30 p.m. to join students, people living with HIV and spiritual leaders in setting up a traditional holiday dinner but without food and shelter.

Activists are concerned that talks in Washington about pending spending cuts and tax hikes will lead to additional cuts in HIV programs as well as access to nutritional and housing assistance.

In an advisory promoting the event, activists wrote, "ACT UP leaders called upon Senator Kerry to fully fund HIV treatment and services. In imminent fiscal cliff negotiations, will Senator Kerry be the leader Massachusetts needs?"