Health GAP
www.healthgap.org
May 28, 2004
Contacts: Michael Kink, Housing Works 518.527.2787 // Suzy Subways, ACT UP Philadelphia 215.681.5616, Mark Jason McLaurin, Gay Men's Health Crisis 410.935.7039 // Jennifer Cohn, Health GAP 215.668.1646
PEOPLE WITH HIV, ACTIVISTS AND CAREGIVERS MARCH ON REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC HQs BEARING 1000 ALARM CLOCKS, BLOCK STREETS AT CONGRESS
"WAKE UP. TIMES UP" TO CANDIDATES, LEADERS: NEARLY 60,000 IN USA WITHOUT AIDS DRUGS; DELAYS COSTING LIVES IN GLOBAL EPIDEMIC
(MAY 20, 11 am, Washington DC)
Crowd gathers at Folger Park (3rd and D, SE) at 11 am, marches past RNC and DNC, civil disobedience on W. side of Capitol
At least a thousand people living with HIV, family members and providers of AIDS prevention and treatment services are descending in Washington DC for an angry election-year march and civil disobedience action in the largest effort in over a decade.
Stressing that the 8% of voters in a tight election identify HIV/AIDS as their number-one health concern, the protesters pledge continued activity, demanding that elected officials and candidates alike commit to comprehensive programs to prevent HIV transmission, to bring treatment and support services to people living with HIV, and to redouble efforts for a cure, in the United States and around the world.
"Last week, the federally-funded Institute of Medicine gave our elected leaders a report that verifies what we're dealing with every day in our neighborhoods -- at least 59,000 people here in the United States can't get stable access to life-saving AIDS drugs," said Louis Jones of the New York City AIDS Housing Network, a member of the Still We Rise coalition planning events during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
"Over a thousand of us from across the country are coming to DC to say: 'Wake up! Time's Up!' Our lives depend on these medications and support programs, and we're going to be everywhere you are, from here to the national political conventions to the voting booth until we see some real action on this thing. Your own committee tells you that we can fix this problem through strong national programs, and the time to act is now.""
The coalition demands include:
- Full funding of domestic and global efforts to provide lifesaving HIV medications to millions
- Full funding of the domestic and global HIV/AIDS public health infrastructure;
- Support of real-world, comprehensive and honest HIV prevention efforts;
- An end to politically-motivated attacks on scientific research on HIV/AIDS; and
- Full funding for AIDS housing programs.
"Compassion without action equals death," said Charles King, CEO of Housing Works, the nations largest community-based AIDS group. "We have the roadmaps to ending AIDS, from the World Health Organization right down to the frontline-efforts of local AIDS organizations, and we are blocked by funding gaps, moralistic attacks, and bureaucratic delays. In an era of so much doubt and uncertainty, why are we ignoring proven methods and promising plans to shut down this epidemic?"
"Theres been a death toll through every presidential administration while we continue to block funding for needle exchange or put up roadblocks to getting AIDS drugs to poor nations," said Waheedah El-Shabazz of ACT UP Philadelphia. "Believe me, those of us who continue to bury our friends and loved ones, here and around the world, are wide awake and ready to do what it takes to stop this epidemic. If youre running around saying stuff like condoms dont work, or cutting funds for the programs our lives depend upon, or even just refusing to talk about AIDS out loud and often, youre dreaming if you think you are fighting AIDS."
A full set of information, demands and background documents related to the May 20 demonstration are posted at: www.champnetwork.org * www.housingworks.org * www.nycahn.org
The AIDS community's recommendations for the presidential candidates are posted at www.aidsvote.org
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