Photo Credit: Dara Blumenhein / Spectral Q
click image for larger view
Hundreds supported the of launch of May 7 Coalition (www.7may.org) in Los Angeles by forming an aerial image entitled, "Circle Of Hope", on Sunday, May 7, World AIDS Orphans Day. The event was part of a worldwide effort, initiated by FXB International, urging mayors and elected officials to sign a proclamation recognizing objectives set out in the 2001 United Nations Declaration of Commitments on HIV/AIDS, including increased funding for AIDS orphans and their communities. Elected representatives from 271 cities in 38 countries have signed the proclamation so far. Presently, the number of orphans is estimated to be 15 million, and is expected to rise to 100 million by 2010.
Countless organizations and individuals across Los Angeles work independently, to promote HIV/AIDS awareness locally as well as globally. Rarely do these organizations collaborate or come together to galvanize the public, or to maximize their outreach and results - especially on behalf of children.
Aerial photographs by artist, John Quigley, will picture leaders from non-governmental and international organizations, women's organizations and youth, linking arms and spelling the word "HOPE" on behalf of orphans affected by AIDS globally.
The resulting images will launch a public awareness campaign urging other cities to take action, and will send the message that Los Angeles stands in solidarity with regions most heavily affected by AIDS and with the world's most vulnerable population - AIDS Orphans- of whom there be an estimated 100 million by 2010.
This May 7th, we invite non-governmental, international organizations, women’s organizations and youth, to lobby with us across 5 continents to meet these goals:
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Launch May 7 Coalition (
www.7May.org) - a coalition dedicated to supporting WAOD actions each year in solidarity with local and international members
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Urge mayors and elected officials- guarantors of the Rights of the Child in their districts- to sign a proclamation recognizing World AIDS Orphans Day and the objectives set out in the 2001 United Nations Declaration of Commitments on HIV/AIDS (212 Elected Representatives from 182 cities have already joined us so far)
www.worldorphansday.org
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Create a forum for youth to galvanize their communities and the media
(support youth-led solutions to HIV/AIDS)
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Form "circles of hope" across the world to celebrate life and to send a message of solidarity to vulnerable communities around the world
Our program this May 7th will consists of
- Aerial photography by John Quigley (www.SpectralQ.com)
- Music (Drum Circle & Spoken word poetry by youth from Leimert Park)
- Speakers from our various organizations (offering direct actions)
- Petition encouraging the Mayor to sign the May 7 Proclamation
- Youth reading "Messages of Hope" from other youth around the world who will be forming "circles of hope" on the same day
- AIDS Quilt Project (Building Bridges Between Youth One Stitch at A Time)
- May 7 Coalition Resource Sheet (information and resources to take action)
- Tables for Distribution of information & flyers
- AIDS/HIV "Take Action Toolkit" for High School Youth
"I-Promise" post cards (urging people to take action)
WAOD T- shirt sales
PDF Downloads
