TODAY, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day.
And in a city where an HIV/AIDS state of emergency has been declared every year for the last 10 years, that's a moment to note. The following are some ways Oakland is marking the day:
WORLD - Count us in!
On World AIDS Day 2011, U.S. Positive Women’s Network launches Count Us In!, a national campaign focused on upholding the rights of women living with HIV to achieve high-quality health care. Count Us In the HIV planning, services, data, budgets and leadership.
In Oakland, join the network for a video screening at WORLD - Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Disease - and press conference with Mayor Jean Quan, the Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee and the Office of Assembly Member Sandre Swanson on the steps of City Hall.
OMCA film screening - World AIDS Day
To commemorate World AIDS Day, OMCA presents screenings of "Untitled" - a 60-minute documentary film about HIV/AIDS by contemporary artists Jim Hodges, Carlos Marques da Cruz and Encke King.
Juxtaposing fractious scenes from the past turbulent decades, Untitled presents a powerful and provocative reflection on the early years of the AIDS crisis, when political protest and personal existence converged. The film, which showcases the brave women and men who in times of crisis stood up for themselves, for their communities, and for humanity, is distributed for 2011 World AIDS Day/Day With(out) Art by Visual AIDS.
The film will be shown all day, on the hour, in the Media Space in the Gallery of California Art. Included with Museum admission. Free to members.
Occupy Oakland Vigil
"In honor and remembrance of those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, we are holding a candlelight vigil on Thursday Dec 1, 2011, at Oscar Grant Plaza," reads a city release. "In honor of those still living with HIV/AIDS we hold a candlelight vigil and open (people’s) mic and ask that the governments and people of this world recognize the need for Universal Healthcare as one of our basic rights."