The day of the “Keep the Promise” March on Washington, July 22nd, marked a historic rebirth of global AIDS activism.
You—thousands of advocates who traveled from every corner of the United States and the world by planes, trains, buses and cars to march in Washington—compelled the world to listen to your call to “Keep the Promise” on AIDS. Many of you endorsed and supported the March without being in Washington. Some of you even participated in “virtual marches”.
The sense of camaraderie, pride, determination and a singular purpose to end AIDS filled the streets as we marched together down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the Capitol, led by the rally performers Wyclef Jean and Margaret Cho, and worldwide advocates.
We salute your valiant efforts and courage on the forefront of the War on AIDS. Each of your individual voices has helped forge a transformational movement that has the power to one day end AIDS.
The real change rises from the grassroots. The President’s absence at the International AIDS Conference shows that AIDS is not a priority. Therefore it is incumbent upon us to keep the United States and the world accountable and ensure that they “Keep the Promise” on HIV/AIDS.
As Tavis Smiley eloquently remarked from the stage at the pre-March rally,
“Great presidents are not born, great presidents are made. Put another way, presidents have to be pushed to their greatness.”
We must keep people’s lives a priority. Stories that Jenny Boyce, Roxanne Hanna-Ware and countless others shared at the rally are an unquestionable testament to the life-saving power of treatment. Silence and inaction = death.
So let’s take the pledge today that we ourselves will commit to Keeping the Promise on AIDS going forward, that we will not relent in our call for treatment for all who need it and more resources to fight the pandemic. Let’s promise to take action and raise our voices for as long as it takes for world leaders to act – AIDS is not over.
The “Keep the Promise” March on Washington may be over, but we are stronger together and our work continues. Take the pledge – click here and be a part of the continued fight!
