The Prevention Justice Mobilization, a national campaign calling for leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS and justice in prevention policies, is celebrating its first victory.

Working with local organizations and community co-sponsors of the National HIV Prevention Conference, the PJM overcame initial resistance of the conference chairs to win the right of 100 members of the Atlanta community to freely access the CBO/NGO Village, which had been closed to those not registered for the conference itself.

This event allows community-based and non-government organizations to set up outreach tables and network with peers. In addition, the CBO/NGO Village will feature light food and entertainment.

On the behalf of the conference co-chairs, we are pleased to honor your request to open the NGO Village to members of the community who are providing HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, or care services to individuals living in the Atlanta metropolitan area. This will allow these important community members the opportunity to meet with others around the country engaged in similar work. We hope that they will be able to benefit from this experience.

The PJM organizers commend the NHPC for this action, and encourage them to continue to work with community-based organizations to ensure that those unable to attend the conference are able to access valuable information and resources without charge. Opening the CBO/NGO Village to the Atlanta community is a promising step in building bridges between the HIV prevention policy world and the communities they serve.

"We are heartened to see that CDC has recognized the literal and symbolic importance of opening this event to people at the forefront of the local struggle against HIV/AIDS," said Julie Davids, Executive Director of the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), initiators of the Prevention Justice Mobilization. "We also hope this is a sign of increased openness to community voices in CDC processes and events."

How to Attend the CBO/NGO Village

The CBO/NGO Village will take place from 6-8 pm on Monday, December 3 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel, 265 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA. Individuals interested in attending can register onsite at a table set up just outside the entrance. NHPC staff will issue each member of the community an ID badge for admission into the NGO Village. Individuals interested in attending can register onsite at a table set up just outside the entrance. You can also pre-resister by contacting Bob Kohmescher, NHPC conference coordinator at rnk1@cdc.gov or 404-639-1914.

Note: At the immediate conclusion of the Village, the Prevention Justice Mobilization will sponsor a meet up from 8 - 9 pm in the Cairo Room, including a preview of the next day's Unity March & Rally.

More on the Prevention Justice Mobilization (PJM):

Bearing the slogan that "HIV/AIDS is not just a disease; it's proof positive of injustice," the Prevention Justice Mobilization is a series of national events calling for leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS and justice in prevention policies, such as:

• More funding for HIV prevention efforts, with universal access to sexual health education, harm reduction and other forms of effective HIV prevention
• Comprehensive efforts to address the root causes of disparities in HIV infection
• Research for a broader range of HIV prevention intervention and tools
• An end to censorship and misinformation in HIV prevention

The PJM was initiated by Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), in collaboration with ACT UP Philadelphia, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the Center for HIV Law and Policy, the Georgia Prevention Justice Alliance, the Harm Reduction Coalition, the National Women and AIDS Collective, the New York State Black Gay Network, and SisterLove.

The schedule of Prevention Justice Mobilization-affiliated events during the NHPC includes (list in formation):

Saturday, December 1:
4 pm	World AIDS Day Speak-Out on HIV/AIDS, civil rights and human rights Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Site. Sponsored by Atlanta HIV/AIDS organizations
Sunday, December 2:
9 - 4 pm	Research Advocacy For HIV Prevention: Setting a Prevention Justice Research Agenda Location: Cairo Room, Hyatt Regency Hotel. Sponsored by Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP): contact leichou@champnetwork.org to pre-register
4 - 6 pm	Prevention Justice Check-In / Meet Up: Network with prevention activists and get ready for the mobilization events! Location: Cairo Room, Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel
5 - 11:30 pm	Final Fantasy Ball: Ballroom Extravaganza Location: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Bldg C Sponsored by AID Atlanta's Evolution Project; for more info www.myspace.com/evolutionfinalfantasy or 404.870.7812
Monday, December 3:
8 - 9 pm	Prevention Justice Meet-Up and Briefing on the Unity Rally Location: Cairo Room. Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel
Tuesday, December 4:
4:30 - 6 pm	Unity March and Rally For HIV Prevention Location: Gather at Hardy Ivy Park on the corner of Baker St and Peachtree St. NE (right across the street from the Hyatt hotel)
7 - 9 pm	Prevention Justice Dinner & Strategy Session Location: St. Luke's Church, 435 Peachtree St., NE, 2 1/2 blocks from the Hyatt Hotel
Wednesday, December 5:
10 am	Fulton County Commission Meeting Support the Georgia Prevention Justice Alliance as they testify before the Fulton County Commission in favor of local syringe exchange programs -- just 3/4 mile from the NHPC