[mgj-discuss] AIDS Medication for every nation: April 10 rally planning (Danny Glover to attend)

[Robert Weissman]

From: Paul Davis <pdavis at CritPath.Org>


Dear colleagues,

On Wednesday, April 10, ACT UP and the Health GAP Coalition is
organizing a
large rally and lobby day in Washington DC.

Danny Glover is confirmed and is recruiting other celebrities. Jim Kim from
Partners in Health at Harvard is confirmed, a noted representative is
probably going to join the event depending on schedules, and we are inviting
a Republican Senator as well. A religious leader will speak as well.

The rally will be short and sweet, from 1pm to 2:30, followed by lobby
visits where the crowd is divided into teams to walk through the halls of
congress for short meetings. These large visits will coincide with targeted
visits from one or more teams of celebrities, religious leaders and experts.

Our very diverse membership is now launching a new outreach push amongst
local Black Church groups and student organizations here in Philadelphia,
and we hope to substantially increase our turnout. Additional allies from
Baltimore, DC, NYC and Boston usually turn out as well.

April 10 is an extremely strategic time for action:
   - The 10th is roughly the date that we expect an emergency
     supplemental vote where we have found some champions of both
     parties who will attempt to insert a new Global Fund contribution.
   - The first meeting of the GFATM is in NYC on April 22 (when grant
     decisions will be made).
   - April is the month that the budget vote is expected, and when
     appropriations battles will be joined in earnest.

After the rally, the crowd will be divided into teams which will peacefully
walk the halls of congressional office buildings leaving behind packets and
stopping in for short meetings. These large teams will coincide with one or
more teams of celebrity / expert lobbyists who will do some targeted visits.
We hope to set up an evening reception.

If you can bring people to DC on April 10, or can help with setting
appointments, dealing with permits and sound systems, or if you have some
cash to contribute, please let me know.

Please help us make history and push US Congress to contribute $1
billion to
the Global AIDS fund this year, and $2 billion in 2003. Let me know if you
can make it.

Best regards,

Paul Davis
pdavis at critpath.org
Health GAP Coalition
ACT UP Philadelphia

+1.215.833.4102 mobile
+1.215.474.6886 tel.
+1.215.474.4793 fax