Broken Promises Kill

In 2005 world leaders promised to support and fund universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010 at the G8 summit in Scotland. The result would have been a dramatic reduction in the AIDS related death rate, (80-85% according to many researchers) as well as a dramatic reduction in HIV transmission. New advancements in treatment and prevention are bringing us closer than ever to being able to end the AIDS pandemic, however, instead of seizing these opportunities many leaders of rich countries are currently retreating from their commitment to global AIDS treatment and prevention. The result is that million of lives will be consumed by AIDS and millions more will become infected.

In June the UN will sponsor a High Level Meeting on AIDS where world leaders will meet to discuss their commitments to fight AIDS. UNAIDS states that ‘Member States are expected to adopt a new Declaration that will reaffirm current commitments and commit to actions to guide and sustain the global AIDS response.’ With this in mind, it is especially important that before the meeting occurs we put pressure on the governments that have broken their promises to fully fund global AIDS treatment and prevention.

Join us on Thursday, April 7th at noon for a Marathon Die-in Against Global AIDS where we will travel from consulate to consulate demanding that the US, British, Italian, Dutch, German, Norwegian, French and Swedish governments follow through with their promises to fight AIDS. At each consulate we will perform a symbolic die-in, by lying on the ground, to dramatize the many millions who have and will continue to die because of the callous indifference of countries using the financial crisis as an excuse to retreat from their commitments to AIDS treatment and prevention. We will begin promptly at noon at the Norwegian consulate on 50th St between 3rd and 2nd Avenue (closer to 3rd).

We intend to have a legal moving picket at each stop in addition to the die-in. No permits have been secured for the event or are sought. Groups organizing for the event include: ACT UP, Health Gap, Vocal and Queerocracy.

For more information call John Riley at 917-653-7267 or e-mail John

Assemble Thu. April 7th at noon 
50th Street between 2nd & 3rd Ave Take the 6 train to 51st St. stop. 
(note: the April 8th demo was changed to April 7th)