WHEN PEOPLE WITH AIDS ARE UNDER ATTACK WHAT DO WE DO?!
ACT UP! FIGHT BACK!
By Brian, member of the International Youth Leadership Council. He is also on staff as the International Policy Associate
 I am still a little surprised I had any voice left after I participated in the DC World AIDS Day rally on Friday afternoon on the eve of World AIDS Day 2007. Hundreds of students from local universities and dedicated activists from various local, national, and international organizations marched through downtown Washington—signs in hand and voices blaring—to in front of the White House to demand that our government “cut the red tape”that blocks the adoption of effective HIV/AIDS policy.
Running almost solely on adrenaline, we marched, we chanted, we yelled, and we held our spray-painted signs high to demand better policies from our government. As young people, we have the right to come of age in a world where the norm is comprehensive sex education that provides the most up-to-date science about how to protect ourselves from contracting HIV. After 25 years of AIDS, UNAIDS continues to report that almost half of all new infections annually occur among young people ages 25 and under.
Here we were activists from local, national, and international organizations, joined in united political activism. HIV/AIDS is a global crisis that all 7 billion people on the planet must confront. But its impact is also very unique in each location and with different population. As such, activists and advocates often end up separated along lines that mirror the different manifestations of the same disease. In an awesome display of collaboration, we were able to amplify our voices and the voices of so many others who are vulnerable to the disease collective support against systemic marginalization and global injustice.
The sprit of activism that flowed through the crowd during the rally still gives me goosebumps. Amazing speakers, including DC’s Congressional Representative, Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Nickie Babayeva, a member of Advocates’ International Youth Leadership Council and others, reminded us of the reality that although we have gained a lot of knowledge about the disease, many people continue to suffer under the same systemic marginalization and bigotry that has characterized the epidemic from its beginning. As they spoke, we responded with our battle cries against the ideological policies dominating our government - - “WHAT DO WE WANT? EFFECTIVE PREVENTION! WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW!”
Ironically, the backdrop for our rally - the White House - was adorned with a red ribbon to commemorate World AIDS Day. An example of symbolic support for the issue by an Administration that fails to acknowledge a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.
At the rally’s climax, 40 activists crossed Pennsylvania Avenue wearing white shirts with statements such as “Missing Teacher,” “At Risk Youth,” and “At Risk Woman” written across them. They bound themselves together by red tape to symbolize the red tape the U.S. government refuses to cut in order to adopt more effective HIV/AIDS policies at home and abroad. They chanted as the National Parks Police Department gave them three warnings to leave the premises under penalty of arrest: “ONE! TWO! THREE! EIGHT! WE WON’T LEAVE TILL YOU CUT THE RED TAPE!” After the three warnings from the police, all 40 activists were arrested in an act of civil disobedience.
The media coverage was intense. Flashbulbs went off in our faces, reporters were shouting questions, tourists were gawking. All of it resulted in widespread press coverage about the need to improve U.S. government HIV/AIDS policies. Our message was heard and seen around the world. Hopefully the actions of the activists will inspire others to call for change as well.
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