Hundreds Rally to “Keep the Promise on AIDS” with AHF, Rev. Al Sharpton, & more in NYC March across Brooklyn Bridge

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (April 12, 2013) — Hundreds of people joined AIDS Healthcare Foundation in call for funding and support to fight HIV/AIDS in New York—Third “Keep The Promise on AIDS” March and Rally in Brooklyn, NY featured speeches from Reverend Al Sharpton and local dignitaries, as well as performances by several Grammy Award-winning musicians

Sway Calloway, a hip-hop cultural icon and pivotal reporter of over a decade for MTV News, hosted the event, joining in the direct call to President Obama to fund HIV/AIDS care worldwide and reminding the crowd of the importance of AIDS activism between the stirring musical performances.In addition to the free concert, the rally featured inspirational speeches from historic civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton, AHF President Michael Weinstein, New York City Council Member (Brooklyn, 33rd District), and New York State Senator (D, District 25), who endorsed New York’s “No Condoms As Evidence” Bill. This legislation prohibits New York City police from using the fact that a person is carrying condoms as a cause for search or arrest for suspicion of such crimes as prostitution. In her speech, Montgomery said using condom carrying against people “undermines sound health policy.”An issue of particular importance raised at the rally was the ongoing funding cuts by the Obama Administration to crucial AIDS programs both global and domestic. About 20 advocates wore T-shirts that prominently displayed the President’s face and the word “SHAME,” signifying his decision to cut $220 million from PEPFAR in FY 2013.

Approximately 500 advocates, community leaders, artists, and citizens participated in the “Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS” March and Rally on Saturday, April 6th in Brooklyn, New York’s Cadman Plaza Park. The event—the third in a series calling on officials to commit to stopping AIDS—was  hosted by radio and television personality Sway Calloway and among the speakers was the Reverend Al Sharpton, one of America's foremost civil rights leaders who marked his second “Keep The Promise” appearance on Saturday. Transgendered activist DJ Lina showed support by opening the rally on her turntables, and musical guests included hip-hop emcee Cassidy, Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Native Bridget Kelly, Grammy-Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, a popular New York City-based marching band.

PHOTOS: AHF's "Keep The Promise on AIDS" rally in Brooklyn's Cadman Plaza Park prior to the march across the Brooklyn Bridge: (clockwise from top left) Rev. Al Sharpton gives a rousing speech about civil rights for people living with HIV/AIDS, Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari wows the crowd with classical violin over hip-hop beats; NY State Senator Velmanette Montgomery addresses the crowd; the rallied crowd shows off protest signs; Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, Love Alive International Group Founder Elder Stacey Latimer, AHF President Michael Weinstein, Rev. Al Sharpton, Grammy Award-winner Bridget Kelly, and Grammy Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari gather backstage

Stephen LevinVelmanette Montgomery

PHOTOS:  AHF's "Keep The Promise on AIDS" march across the Brooklyn Bridge saw over 300 protestors marching, carrying signs and globe balloon, and chanting for access to treatment; (top row, center) HIV/AIDS activist Marco Benjamin leads the crowd in chants while sporting a t-shirt decrying Obama's recent funding cuts to PEPFAR that risk the lives of HIV/AIDS patients worldwide

“AIDS rages in gay black men as strongly in America as AIDS rages in Africa,” AHF President Michael Weinstein said in his address to the crowd. “That’s the consequence of devaluing a life.”

“If we don’t fight for civil rights for everybody, then we don’t fight for civil rights for anybody,” said Reverend Sharpton. “There’s one standard, one world, one promise.”

With the crowd’s enthusiasm for this re-birth of AIDS activism piqued after the entertainment and speeches in the early afternoon, the rally transformed into a powerful march that saw the Brooklyn Bridge packed with marchers carrying signs and holding large globe balloons as they streamed into Lower Manhattan to City Hall Park across the iconic span chanting, “What do we want? – Funding for treatment! – When do we want it? – Now!” and “Medication for Every Nation!” 

Link to this article: AIDS Health