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June 26, 2000 (Johannesburg, South Africa): In the midst of mounting criticism of Pfizer¹s narrow drug donation scheme for South Africa, AIDS activists protested at Pfizer¹s Johannesburg office today. Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), the grassroots AIDS activist group coordinating the picket, has led a campaign demanding Pfizer provide affordable, sustainable access to its life-saving anti AIDS drug fluconazole. ACT UP chapters in the US have joined TAC in rejecting Pfizer¹s restrictive donation program. When: This Monday, June 28, 6pm

Where: March:15th & Cherry (between Arch and Race streets) to rally: Wyndham Franklin Plaza hotel, 16th & Race Streets, Philadelphia

What: Hundreds of demonstrators: African American voters, gay & lesbians, people with AIDS

Huge banners and signs linking candidate Gore to US government efforts to squelch drug access in South Africa and other developing nations hard hit by AIDS epidemic

Larger-than-life puppets depicting drug industry pulling strings of marionette Gore

Why: After confronting Gore at three campaign announcements, protesters gather to demand that Gore meet basic demands to increase access to AIDS drugs in poor countries. Key constituents in African American and HIV/AIDS community, infuriated by Gore's pivotal role in threatened trade sanctions against South Africa and controversial US trade bill on Africa, demand policy reversal early in sagging presidential campaign.

Currently, 22.5 million Africans are HIV-positive, including up to 26% of young adults, and totaling 67% of the world's HIV+ population. Average income in South Africa is $2,600/year, and name-brand AIDS drugs cost around $12,000/year.

Gore has vehemently opposed the practice of "compulsory licensing," which allows companies in other countries to produce cheap, generic AIDS drugs. Compulsory licensing is legal under current international trade agreements, and provides royalties to patent owners.

Demands: Key constituents echo demands of disruptive protestors at Gore's first campaign announcements in Tennessee, New Hampshire and Wall Street:

1. Gore must cease threats of trade sanctions against South Africa and other developing nations that are attempting to provide access to essential AIDS medications through legal measures for compulsory licensing and parallel importing.

2. The Clinton/Gore Administration must stop pushing for passage of HR 434, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a.k.a. NAFTA for Africa.

3. The U.S. should allow the World Health Organization to provide essential AIDS medications which the U.S. government owns or retains substantial rights to, at or below cost to developing nations. These drugs include ddI, d4T, and 3TC.

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