When: March 15, 2005, 2 Ð 5 pm

Where: Protest will start at the French Embassy, Washington, DC and then participants will demonstrate at the German Embassy and the Japanese Embassy.

Protest schedule: 2:20pm French Embassy, 4101 Reservoir Road, NW
2:40pm German Embassy, 4645 Reservoir Road, NW
3:40pm Japanese Embassy, 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Background: While governments acted quickly to pledge large amounts to respond to the tsunami in south Asia, there has been less political will regarding AIDS and debt. In terms of the death toll, AIDS, Tb and malaria equal the impact of the tsunami every two weeks.

Every year, many impoverished countries spend more on debt service than they pay on social services like health care and education. Yet, negotiations among the G8 over debt cancellation have reached an impasse, and the G8 meeting in July may fail to agree on full cancellation for debts owed to the IMF and World Bank. Protestors are demanding an agreement on 100% multilateral debt cancellation without harmful conditions by April 16-17, when the IMF and World Bank hold their Spring Meetings

The Global Fund is a critical part of the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, yet it is facing a $900 million shortfall in 2005. It lacks the necessary funds to move forward with the renewal of prior grants and the issuing of new grants in 2006. This is a matter of life and death for millions around the world. The pledged contributions to the Fund from France, Germany and United Kingdom for 2006 are the same as for 2005, even though the Fund's needs will increase dramatically in 2006. Japan has failed to pledge any contribution whatsoever for 2005 or 2006. These governments, as well as the US, should give their fair share according to their proportion of global wealth. Governments will consider the Fund's needs at a Meeting on a Voluntary Replenishment Mechanism in Stockholm, Sweden, 14-16 March 2005.

Health GAP
www.healthgap.org
Contact: Paul Davis (email: pdavis@critpath.org phone: 215.833.4102)
We are an organization of US-based AIDS and human rights activists, people living with HIV/AIDS, public health experts, fair trade advocates and concerned individuals who campaign against policies of neglect and avarice that deny treatment to millions and fuel the spread of HIV.

Jubilee USA Network
www.jubileeusa.org
Contact: Neil Watkins (email: neil@jubileeusa.org phone 202-421-1023)
Jubilee USA Network began as Jubilee 2000/USA in 1997 when a diverse gathering of people and organizations came together in response to the international call for Jubilee debt cancellation. Now over 60 organizations including labor, churches, religious communities and institutions, AIDS activists, trade campaigners and over 9,000 individuals are active members of the Jubilee USA Network. Together we are a strong, diverse and growing network dedicated to working for a world free of debt for billions of people.

Africa Action
www.africaaction.org
Contact: Ann-Louise Colgan (email: africaaction@igc.org phone: 202.546.7961)
Africa Action is a national organization that works for political, economic and social justice in Africa. Through the provision of accessible information and analysis combined with the mobilization of public pressure we work to change the policies and policy-making processes of U.S. and multinational institutions toward Africa.

d. The American Medical Students Association (AMSA)
www.amsa.org
Contact: Casey Kirkheart (email: jrf@www.amsa.org phone: 706.620.6600)
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With approximately 40,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on five strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine, leadership development and transforming the culture of medicine.

ACT UP Philadelphia
Contact: Jen Cohn
(email: jecohn6@critpath.org phone 215.668.1646)
ACT UP Philadelphia is an all-volunteer, consensus-run organization made up of HIV positive individuals and their supporters. ACT UP Philadelphia fights the domestic and global AIDS crises by addressing the basic health disparities and social and economic injustices that perpetuate the epidemic both at home and abroad.

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