AIDS. It’s Not Over

I walked into the activist meeting space yesterday morning and a wave of excitement washed over me.  We are right behind the dance 4 life exhibition in the global village and they are jamming to some afro-caribbean beats that got me boppin’ as I walked by.  When I entered, the room was absolutely buzzing with activity.  Groups of people huddled together over blackberries and computers. The copier was humming and rhythmically churning out materials for press conferences. Another group busily making fliers and materials for today’s human rights march.  

On flip chart in front of them written in English, Spanish and French:

Idea’s for todays actions and targets. Asks?

• Group intros and overview of planned actions for the week
• Ugandan M.o.P.H (Minister of Public Health)-Ask=gay Ugandan activists that were kicked out of PEPFAR implementer meeting in Uganda

Former Brown PHR student leader Jack Rusley who attended the Clinton speech today says they made a big splash.  According to him, Bill Clinton, amazing and charismatic speaker that he is, incorporated the issue the activist raised into his speech.  

Here are some excerpts from actions that have  been posted on the AIDS2008.com blog.

• From Cameron Lefevre:

Kaytee already posted a great blog about ACT UP Paris’ action earlier today–where they took over the beginning of Bristol-Myers Squibb Symposium entitled “Rethinking Initiation of HAART” to call attention to the fact that BMS is “rethinking” production of a key HIV medication for children–but I wanted to follow-up and share a quick video and some photos from the event….

• The blog post by Kaytee, mentioned by Cameron:

You know the AIDS Conference has started when you hear the chants of activists resonate through the halls as they exit a conference room. So I’m happy to say – the AIDS Conference has officially started!

• Suzy Subway on the 1st Intl March Against Stigma, Discrimination And Homophobia (1ra. Marcha Contra El Estigma, La Discriminación Y La Homofobia)