World AIDS Day - Noche de las Memorias December 1, 2008

Mexico’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Juan Marcos Gutierrez, will join hundreds of families, community residents and people concerned about the HIV/AIDS on World AIDS Day at the eastside AIDS monument in Lincoln Park to remember those lost to AIDS and renew their commitment in the fight against the disease. This World AIDS Day marks the 15th year this event has taken place at Lincoln Park.

For more information, visit www.thewalllasmemorias.org or call (323) 257-1056.

Despite progress made in educating the public about HIV and efforts to address the silence and shame that accompany the disease, families remain reluctant to discuss the issue of a loved one lost to AIDS. Some families do not want to submit names for inclusion on the wall panels of the eastside AIDS monument.

“While we’ve made tremendous progress in reaching out to families, and building bridges to clergy and communities of faith, HIV remains a stigma and source of pain for some families,” said Richard Zaldivar. “The goal of the monument is to break the silence and chip away at the shame and denial we see daily.”

Behind each name is a story of someone who was loved and who is missed,” said Richard Zaldivar, executive director of The Wall-Las Memorias Project. “And behind each name is a story of people who are deeply to committed to ending AIDS as we know it.”

In total, more than 400 names of individuals lost to AIDS will be on view, including the most recently submitted names. Names were submitted by partners, siblings, spouses, friends and parents. A suggested donation of $50 is requested to process the name and etch it on a panel. The two panels will eventually hold approximately 7,500 names.

Official Website: http://www.thewalllasmemorias.org