December 17, 2004

Momentum Builds For AIDSMarch Planning Summit: Jan 4-5, Washington DC

AIDS activists from more than a dozen states have pledged to attend next month's planning summit for the National and International March to End AIDS. Church groups, front-line community-based organizations, PWA networks, and national AIDS advocacy groups and coalitions have all pledged to send representatives and join in the planning for a historic mobilization that will build political power for the AIDS movement for years to come.

"I have lived with this Virus for 20 some years now. So I have seen the good and the horror of what I didn't see, we need to see more advocates back in the streets putting this in everyone's daily life." - Conover , Ohio

The AIDSMarch planning summit will be held on January 4 and 5 in Washington DC, at the Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P Street NW, near Dupont Circle (www.churchofthepilgrims.org). We'll have breakfast, lunch and dinner available for participants, and we've even got some low-cost housing available on-site for folks who need it.

"I live in NE Florida and was diagnosed in 1998 with AIDS... I am so excited to hear about the AIDS march and agree that something HUGE has to take place to regain the attention and support of both our government and its citizens to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS until there IS a cure! ... I will forward the email about the march to everyone that I know. Best of luck in all you do and God Bless you for doing it." - NE Florida

The planning summit will use an outside facilitator and the "Open Space" meeting method, allowing the interests of those who attend to determine the substance of the meeting. We know these will be two high-energy, high-intensity days that will kick start our work and help us move towards the big, successful march and mobilization we know can happen in May.

"I really do want to assist with this historic effort... what are other ways that we can help, in addition to promoting this project to others?" - Columbus, OH

There's still time to RSVP for the AIDSMarch planning summit: send an email to aidsmarch@aidsvote.org and let us know you'll be coming -- and tell us if you want to reserve space to stay on-site: beds are dormitory-style with common baths and cost just $25/night.

"yes, i want to be there... thanks so much for taking on this critical initiative." - Keene, NH

Representatives from the following groups will attend the summit:

Get to Washington and join the action: send an email to aidsmarch@aidsvote.org and we'll keep you in the loop! We've also set up an email listserve to work on planning: send an email to aidsmarch@aidsvote.org and we'll get you on the list, (or you can just go to groups.yahoo.com/group/aidsmarch and sign up yourself.)

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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