AIDS Lobby Day and Rally in Sacramento March 8, 2004
The Southern California HIV Advocacy Coalition (SCHAC) Announces Schedule for AIDS Lobby Day and Rally in Sacramento for March 8th, 2004
Over 100 Community Activist are anticipated at Rally and Lobby Day from Southern California
The Southern California HIV
Advocacy Coalition (SCHAC) announced a Lobby Day and Rally to be held in
Sacramento on the state capitol steps for March 8, 2004. Organizations from
throughout southern California are organizing the event in collaboration with
northern California HIV activists to protest Governor Schwarzenegger's
proposed budget, which caps access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
and cuts reimbursement rates as well as services to people who rely on
Medi-CAL to receive health care.
"We are educating the
community and our elected officials," said Alberto Mendoza, Co-Chair of the
Southern California HIV Advocacy Coalition, "that Governor Schwarzenegger is
trying to raise fees on the poorest of Californian's and cutting access to
healthcare services. He is not increasing fees on the most wealthy,
particularly those who have benefited from President Bush's tax policy. In
addition, capping people's ability to life saving medications is a giant step
backwards for California and will cost the stay much more if people are
treated later in their disease progression. His budget may sound penny wise,
but since we cannot cap HIV infection how can we cap access to medications
that keep people healthy? His budget is truly pound
foolish."
Chris Perry, co-chair of SCHAC, added, " in order to impact this process, SCHAC and our members are holding rally's and trainings locally in Los Angeles to prepare for our March 8th HIV Advocacy Day. We also will be sponsoring people, who cannot afford the airfare, to fly to Sacramento to let their voice be heard on this draconian budget proposal. "
Events scheduled in Los Angeles are:
- Feb 19, 2204 - Town Hall Meeting on AIDS Budget Cuts - The Village 7-9 PM for more information, please contact Darryl Cummings at 323/993-7605
- Feb 25, 2004 - LA Protest Against AIDS Program Cuts - Ronald Reagan Office Building 200 South Spring Street from 2-3 PM, please contact Ruel Nolledo at (213) 201-1378
- March 5th - Town Hall Meeting on AIDS Budget Cuts - Time TBD - at Bienestar for more information, please contact Oscar de la O at (323) 727-7896
Alberto Mendoza added, "for people who want to go to Sacramento to lobby for no budget cuts to AIDS programs yet cannot afford to go or need more information should contact Alberto Mendoza at (323) 254-4498 or Ruel Nollendo at (213) 201-1378
SCHAC is a coalition of AIDS service providers, activists and people infected with HIV who advocate for sound and reasonable HIV public policy. SCHAC members include AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Being Alive, Desert AIDS Project, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Whittier Rio-Hondo AIDS Project, the City of West Hollywood and the Office of AIDS Programs and Policy of the County of Los Angeles. Last year, SCHAC successfully sponsored AB 897; a bill that developed post exposure prophylaxis guidelines for people exposed to HIV though non-commercial contact to slow the spread of this pandemic.
