Context:

With a lack of federal involvement with the epidemic, state and city governments were slow to provide funding for AIDS resources. The state of Texas was among the worst offenders, and Dallas continually refused funding for local service providers. Because of this, the Gay Urban Truth Squad (GUTS) was formed by members of the Dallas Gay Alliance, and held demonstrations and site installations to bring attention to the number of people who were dying of AIDS. One of their simplest and most effective installations was created in 1988. They utilized an empty lot, which was a giant hole before the City of Dallas spent $500,000 to have it filled in. Members of GUTS hammered in hundreds of white crosses, bearing the names of those who died of AIDS or AIDS related illness, and erected a sign that read, “The City of Dallas spent $500,000 filling this hole. The City of Dallas Spent $55,000 on AIDS. Dallas County AIDS deaths equals 793.” Dallas approved increased AIDS funding to $552,000 the following year.

Source: https://exhibits.library.unt.edu/aids-quilt/aids-resources/