08/03/2008
On the eve of the 17th International AIDS conference thousands of people from around the world converged in Mexico City on Saturday afternoon in support of the fight against homophobia and discrimination against those with the HIV.
Thousands of people took to the streets as part of the demonstration. In an attempt to illustrate their message, some protesters lay on the ground pretending to be dead, holding signs that read, "Sexism kills". Others pledged their support by dressing in bright rainbow colours.
AP Television footage showed banners encouraging the use of condoms one had the slogan, "Love others as you love yourself."
Mexico's Secretary of Health, Jose Angel Cordova, as well as the director of the Mexico City Human Rights Commission Emilio Alvarez, attended the march along with a host of activist groups calling for greater acceptance of sexual diversity.
The International AIDS conference is set to open in the city on Sunday.
Some 25-thousand delegates are scheduled to attend, including various prominent figureheads such as United Nations Secretary, General Ban-Ki Moon, and Former United States President, Bill Clinton.
Scottish-born singer Annie Lennox was also in Mexico City for the conference.
UNAIDS estimates the number of AIDS case worldwide at 33 (m) million; its previous estimate of 40 (m) million was revised last year because of changes to how it counts cases.
Officials estimate that globally two (m) million people died from AIDS last year, down from approximately 2.2 (m) million in 2005.
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