ACT UP Philadelphia Action Alert

Almost forgot:

Make one phone call and send a fax today in support of Chinese AIDS activists

Background: In the past month in China, a diverse, historic coalition of AIDS and pro-democracy activists, and the lawyers that defend them in the Chinese legal system, have been beaten, harassed, and ultimately kidnapped (or as they say in China, "detained") by the government for organizing their own symbolic hunger strikes to protest government repression of activists. At the same time, dozens of people with AIDS were held under house arrest to prevent them from reaching delegates during the just ended People's Congress.

As many as 12 prominent activists and several supporters are currently in detention, including renowned AIDS activist Hu Jia, who most recently served as director of Loving Source, a Beijing NGO that supports AIDS orphans.

Take Action: Make a phone call today to demand the unconditional release of Hu Jia and an end to the repression against people with AIDS, AIDS activists, and other groups trying to make peaceful change in China.

Contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.:
Tel: (202) 745-6743 or (202) 328-2520
Political Affairs Office, Minister Counselor, Cai Run
Fax: (202) 745 7473

Here are talking points: "Hello, my name is _______ and I am an AIDS activist working with _________. As a person fighting AIDS, I demand the immediate and unconditional release of the AIDS activist Hu Jia and the rest of the hunger strikers. China should stop beating and detaining activists, lawyers, and journalists. Please call me back at (your telephone number) as soon as possible regarding this urgent matter." Send a short fax, as well--it can say the same thing--with your name and address.

For more information go to www.aidspolicyproject.org