Tomorrow’s many activities mark the 21st Annual World AIDS Day, a time to recognize not only the 25 million individuals lost to HIV and AIDS, but the 33 million global citizens living with the HIV virus today. World AIDS Day Portland lists numerous stories, resources, events and workshops happening throughout the day and for the next week.
To mark world AIDS Day and raise awareness throughout the Portland Metropolitan area, HIV/AIDS service organizations with both domestic and international focus have come together to implement the Nine and a Half Minutes Campaign for 2009. Through this campaign, we envision hundreds of groups – from schools to community-based organizations – to mobilize short actions, events, or campaigns all over the Portland-metropolitan area to raise awareness for 21st Annual World AIDS Day.
Two of the days most interesting events include the Living Vigil and the Candlelight march.
The staffs of Cascade AIDS Project, the HIV Day Center, the Multnomah HIV Clinic, Our House of Portland, and Partnership Project will meet at 4:15 pm at CAP’s Men’s Wellness Center (209 SW Fourth Ave.) for a candlelight march. The procession steps off at 4:45 p.m., heading through the heart of downtown to City Hall for a 5 p.m. reception, hosted by West Cafe, with Mayor Sam Adams.
From 7 to 8pm at the Metropolitan Community Church (2400 NE Broadway at Weidler) the Living Vigil features 7 speakers will cover a wide variety of topics relating to HIV/AIDS as it relates to different communities in 2009. We will have a blessing to start the ceremony, speakers, and music. Glowsticks will be distributed to the first 250 guests.
World AIDS Day Portland Information Line: 503-278-3817
