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Advocates For AIDS Awareness Descend On The District

By: Matt Laslo // July 21, 2012
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The group Act Against AIDS has posted several ads, like this one at Gallery Place, in advance of the conference.
Elvert Barnes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective/7613026090/
The group Act Against AIDS has posted several ads, like this one at Gallery Place, in advance of the conference.

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on Union Station Saturday to raise awareness about the HIV virus. Eight trains are coming to town from places like New Orleans, Miami and New York and even Savannah, Georgia. As many as eight hundred people are expected to participate.

As the health advocates from across the country step off the trains, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation will be holding a press conference to put the word out about their cause. The group is trying to raise awareness about long waiting lists that are preventing people from gaining access to life saving drugs. They also want increased funding which has been cut in recent years.

It's not the only event these weekend aimed at raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as the 19th annual International AIDS Conference kicks off July 22 and continues through July 27.

Actress Sharon Stone will present Microsoft founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates an award during a benefit concert at the Kennedy Center. The concert will feature a performance by Jessye Norman and appearances by other celebrities.

On Sunday, there's also a march scheduled that's entitled the "Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS March on Washington." Activist and singer Wyclef Jean is scheduled to perform and civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton is also scheduled to attend at the opening ceremony at the Washington Monument.

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