Make mischief

The answer to the crossword question “Make mischief is ACT UP” is referring to the acronym ACT UP, which stands for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. ACT UP was a non-partisan organization founded in 1987 in New York City that aimed to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic and demand better treatment and research for those affected by it. They utilized a variety of disruptive and attention-grabbing tactics, such as protests, sit-ins, and die-ins, to draw attention to their cause and put pressure on government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Their slogan, “Silence = Death,” became a rallying cry for the movement. So, in summary, the clue is suggesting that ACT UP was an organization that made mischief in order to bring much-needed attention to the AIDS epidemic and advocate for change.