Dear Friends,

On behalf of ACT UP Philadelphia, I am writing to request emergency support for direct actions around the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS report back (UNGASS) in the amount of $500.00. Five years ago, the United Nations had this rare, high level, multi-nation conference to plan how to curb the AIDS pandemic. Member governments laid out goals to reduce the rate of HIV and to increase access to AIDS related treatment. As you can imagine, few of those governments, including the United States have reached their outlined goals. Worse yet, our government has exported it’s harmful form of HIV prevention which ignores scientific based actions and relies on ideology driven abstinence only prevention methods. In addition, rather then making nationwide progress, our government has more and more people living with AIDS dying while on waiting lists for the insurance program that covers the astronomical cost associated with treating AIDS. So rather than expanding access to healthcare, we are moving backwards and other countries are following suit.

In 2001, when UNGASS came to NYC, there was a multi-national media blitz and stories about the struggle to fight AIDS was on the cover of every paper. Many groups were asked to weigh in. Many were unprepared. ACT UP Philadelphia is organizing 500 Philadelphians and others living with HIV/AIDS to seize the moment and tell the world just what’s its like to be living HIV+ people domestically and globally that are not receiving treatment and medication. We are organizing and mobilizing our power base. Many of who are living with HIV/AIDS or at risk for HIV.

By bringing people living with HIV/AIDS to this historic meeting and action, people will be able to empower themselves to be political and speak truth to power. It is a rare opportunity that people with HIV/AIDS can hold world leaders and our own government responsible for doing far too little too late, while their have been 15 million dead from aids, and 25 million new infections since the last UNGASS meeting five years ago.

Specifically, ACT UP Philadelphia is requesting support for a large scale march and direct action on May 31st, the opening day of this historic event. This march is being planned by a large coalition, including ACT UP Philadelphia, ACT UP NY, ACT UP Philadelphia, African Services Committee, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Positive Health Project, VOCAL-NY Users Union and scores of other grassroots organizations.

Funding will be used to cover the cost of transportation to the march, sound, stage equipment, propaganda, and outreach materials, Our total estimated budget for the mobilization of over 8,000 people is $25,000. We are receiving support from each of the coalition member organizations and are seeking support from North Star Fund, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Nathan Cummings Foundation and Bread & Roses Fund.

Our buses cost $1100.00 each that includes a lunch for protesters and a small tip for the bus driver. Any support that you can lend would be deeply appreciated.

As always, ACT UP Philadelphia leaders are available to speak with you in greater detail about this proposal.

Thank you for your time and support. My contact information is at the bottom of this message.

Jose de Marco

ACT UP Philadelphia

Jose de Marco
Josemarcos9@yahoo.com 
ACT UP Philadelphia
actupp@critpath.org 
POB 22439
 C 215 756 4756
215 386 1981Philadelphia Pa, 19110

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