Thousands attend AIDS vigil

By Bronwen Beechey

MELBOURNE -- An estimated 10,000 people braved cold temperatures on May 15 to take part in the 10th annual candlelight vigil to mark AIDS Awareness Day. The vigil is held in memory of those who have died from AIDS and in solidarity with those living with the disease.

Melbourne's lord mayor, Councillor Des Clark, told the crowd that while the number of new cases of HIV infection in Victoria was down on previous years, there was no reason for complacency.

AIDS was a global issue, and it was important to continue disseminating information about safe sex practices, he said. Clark also pledged that the Melbourne City Council would not discriminate against any user of its services, or any of its workers, on the basis of actual or presumed HIV-positive status.

The crowd then marched to the Exhibition Buildings for the ceremonial unfolding of the Australian AIDS memorial quilt. The quilt, which was exhibited over the weekend, now contains more than 600 panels created by friends, partners and families of those who have died. Also displayed this year were panels loaned from New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Brazil and Israel.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
For further details regarding subscriptions and
correspondence please contact glw@greenleft.org.au

Tools

• Bookmark This Page
• Print This Page