Activists protest outside UNAIDS conference

Sirius Satellite Radio (Air Date: June 1, 2006)

Anchor:
Hundreds of protesters demanded more action in the worldwide fight against AIDS Wednesday, as they demonstrated outside a United Nations special session on AIDS issues. From New York, Aaron McQuade has more.

Reporter:
More than 15-hundred AIDS activists rallied outside the UN building, while 21 more were arrested for chaining themselves together and refusing to leave the Manhattan office of UN Ambassador John Bolton. The protesters say they're outraged at the ineffectiveness of the United Nations' AIDS programs. In 2001, the UN issued its first action plan. Since then, the activists say, more than fifteen million people worldwide have died of complications from AIDS.

Specifically, the protesters say the UN - and especially the Bush Administration - is fighting AIDS with ideology, and not Science. The New York Post reports that infection rates have DOUBLED in Uganda since the US cut funding to programs that provide condoms. The activists also accuse President Bush of fighting for the rights of drug companies, instead of the rights of people living with AIDS. Activist Matthew Kavanagh told Reuters "We know now we can actually create generic drugs for 150 dollars per patient per year for AIDS instead of the 10 to 12-thousand per year that big drug companies charge."

The UN Special Session on AIDS issues continues through Friday.

Aaron McQuade, Sirius OutQ News, New York ...