Cuomo Stalls on Ending AIDS in NY State, Says ACT UP New York

NEW YORK, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ACT UP New York will be holding a protest and press conference on April 1^st, 2015 at Noon Located at (633 Third Avenue New York, New York 10016), challenging Governor Cuomo, the New York AIDS Institute and all of New York State's elected officials to release the blueprint now and prove that the promise to end AIDS in New York state by 2020 will be kept.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150331/195603

In October of 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his support for a groundbreaking initiative to End the AIDS Epidemic in New York State by 2020. An appointed task force of sixty-three HIV service providers, activists, and advocates from all over New York State developed a coherent and implementable blueprint for ending the epidemic, delivered on time in January 2015, to the New York State AIDS Institute.

Nearly sixty days later, with a "message of necessity" emergency vote on the State Budget approaching, Governor Cuomo has yet to endorse the plan, nor has he released his Task Force's blueprint, effectively undermining and possibly terminating his previously promised course of action.

We invite our fellow New Yorkers and concerned community members to stand with us at this critical action and tell Governor Cuomo: it might be April Fools' day, but the people of New York State will not be fooled. Release the blueprint as you promised to meet the goal of ending AIDS in New York State!

WHAT: ACT UP Demands Andrew Cuomo Keep His Promise to End AIDS in NYS
WHEN: Wed, April 1, 12-1 PM
WHERE: The offices of Governor Andrew Cuomo, located at 633 Third Ave between 40th and 41st St.
EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/801793346565498/

Jim Eigo, a member of the Task Force to End the AIDS Epidemic by 2020 and member of ACT UP said, "ending the epidemic in New York State will require the political will of our elected officials, the mobilization of state and local health departments, the engagement of the communities that have been most affected by HIV, and the cooperation of average New Yorkers."

In 2012 alone, there was over 3,000 new HIV diagnoses, according to NYS AIDS Institute Epidemiological Research. James P Robinson of ACT UP said, "every day we have to wait for this blueprint and proper funding, New York State residents are contracting HIV. Governor Cuomo is responsible for allowing a major public health concern to remain unaddressed, as well as costing the state millions more in the future for treatment and care."

About ACT UP:
Founded in 1987, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), is a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis. ACT UP meets every Monday night at 7pm in New York City at the LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street off 7th Ave. 

Contact: Brandon Cuicchi, (646) 284-2948, Email

Contact: Luis Santiago, (917) 655-7347, Email

SOURCE AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP)