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Note: This document is from the archive of the Africa Policy E-Journal, published
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Money for AIDS, Not for War
AFRICA ACTION
Africa Policy E-Journal
March 31, 2003 (030331)
Africa Action: Money for AIDS, Not for War
(Africa Action document)
This posting contains a letter being distributed by Africa Action
with a request for organizational endorsements of an anti-war
statement focusing on "Money for AIDS, Not for War." Other groups
and individuals are stressing similar themes, in demonstrations and
in statements. For example, an Oakland, California "March for Peace
and Justice" is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, including a call
for "Healthcare NOT Warfare." AIDS activists will be joining the
march with the call "Money for AIDS, Not for War." (See
http://www.pnvrc.net for more information on the Oakland
demonstration).
Note: Apologies for any duplicate messages. Given the importance of
this message, it is being sent out through other lists as well as
through the e-journal.
+++++++++++++++++end summary/introduction+++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Friend,
As we watch from across the world, a war that defies precedent in
both its scale and consequence is being waged in our name. Many of
us have taken to the street to voice our dissent. By raising our
voices in concert with the world community we have begun the
important task of presenting a critical analysis of U.S. policies
to the global public.
Though we call for peace, the breadth of our criticism truly goes
to the heart of U.S. global and domestic priorities. It is not
enough to present only our rejection of illegal aggression and
imperialism, we must also make plain the REAL priorities that we
face in the world today and advocate for the urgent changes needed
to address these problems. In this spirit, Africa Action joins with
friends around the world to make a simple statement: Money for
AIDS, Not for War!
Now is the time for an anti-war message that puts HIV/AIDS, the
deadliest of all global threats, at the top of the U.S. domestic
and international agenda:
Sign the Money for AIDS, Not for War statement!
Africa Action is circulating the statement that is copied below to
a worldwide audience. We are seeking endorsements from
organizations around the world and will release the statement
publicly on or around April 15. Please register your organizational
endorsement on our website at
http://php.africaaction.org/action/moneyaids.php and please
circulate this statement to other organizations and networks. We
also encourage individuals and groups to make this important
statement visible at demonstrations, teach-ins, and all other antiwar
events!
Money for AIDS, Not for War!
As the U.S. spends tens of billions of dollars on a pre-emptive war
in the Persian Gulf, we demand that this money be spent on the real
global priority - the HIV/AIDS crisis. AIDS is the greatest global
threat to human security that exists today. It is more deadly than
terrorism or the alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction
in Iraq. AIDS has already cost 25 million lives worldwide. In
Africa, ground zero of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, whole
communities are being wiped out and the future of the entire
continent is at risk. Around the world, HIV infection rates
continue to rise at alarming rates. In the U.S., the toll from AIDS
is mounting, particularly among communities of color.
AIDS is a clear and present danger to all of humanity. That it is
not the top priority of the U.S. government highlights just how
misguided U.S. priorities are. This year, while the U.S. focuses on
potential threats in Iraq and possible terrorist attacks at home,
it is certain that AIDS will kill more than 3 million people
globally, most of these in Africa.
AIDS is an urgent wake-up call to a deeper crisis in the state of
the world. The huge global inequalities that fuel this pandemic are
de-stabilizing and they are deadly. Only racism has allowed the
loss of so many lives to AIDS. Fighting a war against AIDS is the
most important positive step toward building a stable future for
everyone.
The U.S. is the most powerful country on earth, and it has a clear
choice to make. It can choose to provide leadership for a global
effort to defeat the AIDS pandemic and save millions of lives. This
would earn it great appreciation and respect from the whole world.
Or it can choose to act arrogantly and unilaterally, dictating
regime changes and re-drawing maps to serve its own narrowly
defined interests. This can only escalate resentment and fuel
violent reaction against this country and its people.
A war on AIDS can be won. This must be the real priority. This is
why we demand: Money for AIDS, Not for War!
Please register your organizational endorsement on our website at
http://php.africaaction.org/action/moneyaids.php and please
circulate this statement to other organizations and networks.
You can also send your endorsement by e-mail to
africaaction@igc.org or by fax to 202-546-1545.
The Africa Action E-Journal is a free information service
provided by Africa Action, including both original
commentary and reposted documents. Africa Action provides this
information and analysis in order to promote U.S. and
international policies toward Africa that advance economic,
political and social justice and the full spectrum of
human rights.
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