About AIDS
By Jennifer Herrera, Fri., Jan. 31, 2003
East Austin Rally for AIDS, Feb. 8
Join us on Saturday, Feb. 8, in observance of the second annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day. We are in a state of urgency. We have a common and familiar enemy, which is destroying the people of our communities, our city, our country, and the world.
"This enemy is fear, and it continues to feed the vicious cycle that helps spread HIV/AIDS in communities of color. The church has a responsibility to educate and advocate for the people of our congregations and our communities," declares the Rev. Johnny Freemont.
Join our March and Rally on Saturday, Feb. 8. Meet at the south steps of the Texas state Capitol at 1pm, or at Ebenezer Baptist Church (1010 E. 10th) at 2:30pm for a 1.4-mile march to Rosewood Recreation Center. Communities of faith will unite to address the need for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, services, and support. Community church leaders, choirs, and people of faith will come together as one to demonstrate the love of Christ to the oppressed, disenfranchised, and ostracized who are hurting, lonely, confused, and in need of love and support. At Rosewood Recreation Center, free HIV-antibody testing will be provided by the City Health Department and MHMR/CARE Program, along with food, music, and fellowship prepared by local churches and community sponsors.
These are times of crisis. One in every 50 African-American men is infected with HIV, and of all infected females ages 13-19, 73% are black.
The best solution to this crisis would be for communities to join with community organizations to radically take the message of HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness to the streets during Black History Month, February 2003. The visibility and awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its effects on people of color should be clearly communicated. In response to this urgent situation, local churches -- in collaboration with AIDS Services of Austin, the Black Church Outreach Project, and Rosewood Recreation Center are calling the community together.
Join us for the March and Rally and demand that communities of faith voice their concerns to governmental agencies about equality and improved health care for all people living with HIV disease.
For more information contact Jennifer Herrera at ASA (406-6165) or e-mail jennifer.herrera@asaustin.org.
