April 10, 2002

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(Washington DC) Danny Glover, Rep. Leach (R-IA) and Rep. Lee (D-CA) will join 1,000 activists to rally at the West steps of the Capitol April 10, 12:30 PM. Demonstrators will carry a giant alarm clock, declaring that "time is up" for Congressional action to stop the global AIDS catastrophe.

"Every day Congress sits on its hands is another day we do not prevent the deaths of 8,000 people from AIDS," said Sharonann Lynch of Health GAP.

Activists are calling for more money from Congress for affordable AIDS treatment and prevention in developing countries, as well as new action on debt cancellation.

Todayıs rally comes just before Congress votes on the Presidentıs emergency supplemental budget request. Activists are demanding Congress amend Bushıs request to include $750 million for the new Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

"The greatest global public health disaster of our age requires more than compassionate words from elected officials" said Danny Glover. "It demands commitment and action. We need the Congress to appropriate the $2.5 billion needed to fight the global AIDS pandemic."

Bush requested only $200 million for the GFATM in 2003‹less than the U.S. contribution for 2002, and less than the cost of making the movie Titanic. "For decades U.S. policy on global AIDS has been primarily one of neglect. U.S. inaction has lethal consequences," said Sharon Gelman, executive director of Artists for a New South Africa.

The GFATM has already received $5 billion in funding requests, but only has $700 million to spend. Funding commitments will be announced in two weeks in New York City.

The GFATM is seen as the best hope for increasing access to medicines in poor countries, where treatment is most needed. Activists are also calling on Congress to spend $2.5 billion for 2003 on combating global AIDS, with at least $1.3 billion going to the GFATM.

"The GFATM is too starved for funds to accomplish its goals," said Paul Davis of Health GAP. "Unless Congress increases Bushıs stingy budget request to the U.S.ıs fair share of the burden, 2003 will be another year of business as usual‹another 3 million dead from AIDS."

"Congress must fight for debt cancellation to save lives," said Mara Vanderslice of the Jubilee USA Network. "Over half of African countries are still spending more on their debts than on health care." African nations spend about $13.5 billion each year servicing debts. Much of those funds could be used for critical HIV treatment and prevention efforts.

Rally Sponsors: ACT UP, Health GAP, Jubilee USA Network, Artists for a New South Africa

Hundreds of organizations and activists are calling for: