Wanda's Picks Special World AIDS Day 2009

We'll be speaking with John Iverson about his "mission" in Uganda, what it's like being HIV+ for 30 years, living with AIDS for 18. We might be joined by representatives from Africa Action, who can address the epidemic in Africa. WORLD AIDS DAY 2009, RALLY AND MARCH, December 1, 2009; TIME: 12:00 - 2:00PM at Lafayette Park to Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC. Every December 1, activists around the world commemorate World AIDS Day as a way of focusing the world's attention on fighting the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic that has killed more than 25 million people in the last 3 decades. This year Africa Action is working with HIV/AIDS groups in and around DC to mobilize for a rally and march in front of the White House. We want to put pressure on the U.S. government to fulfill commitments to fight the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.This year's World AIDS Day commemoration will take the form of a mock funeral procession, as we highlight the sad fact that every day 5,500 people die from AIDS while our leaders backtrack on funding commitments. Africa is the hardest hit accounting for 76% of AIDS deaths. Further, only three out of ten Africans needing drugs have access to treatment.We highly encourage all "mourners" to wear black funeral attire. In line with this year's World Aids Day theme of "Human Rights and Universal Access," Africa Action is calling for: * Universal access to drugs * Universal access to prevention services * Universal access to Care and * Universal respect for the human rights and dignity of those affected by HIV/AIDS. We will be demanding from President Obama that the U.S commits a fare share of resources to fighting global HIV/AIDS by fully funding the Global Fund and PEPFAR. Email: outreach@africaaction.org; 202.546.7961 Visit http://www.africaaction.org/