WASHINGTON, DC-Tomorrow, December 10th, ONE will be joined in the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty by the states of Iowa, Connecticut and Maine and cities across the country from Gary, Indiana to Chattanooga, Tennessee, while Illinois will become the first state to introduce a “State of ONE” joint resolution in their Legislature.

“In the past year, more than 3.1 million people worldwide died from AIDS, and 570,000 were children,” said Lt. Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn. “While these statistics are staggering, we have a historic opportunity to come together as a state, country and world to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. We can defeat AIDS and extreme poverty, and we’re asking every state to join with us to help an entire generation of people in the world’s poorest countries.”

Cities of ONE and States of ONE have joined the growing list of individuals and communities committed to ONE’s campaign to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.

“Today, more than 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day and 300 million of them live in Africa,” said Mayor Tom Potter of Portland, Oregon. “We live in a big country, with a big heart. From our city of Portland, Oregon all the way to Portland, Maine, Americans are working together across the country to make a difference in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty around the world.”

States of ONE include: Iowa, Connecticut, Maine and Illinois. Cities of ONE include: Birmingham, AL; Boston, MA; Cambridge, MA ;Chattanooga, TN; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; DeKalb, IL; Elgin, IL; Evansville, IN; Farmington Hills, MI; Frankfort, KY; Ft.Wayne, IN; Gary, IN; Green Bay, WI; Greenville, SC; Hartford, CT; Hollywood, FL; Indianapolis, IN; Jackson, TN; Johnson City, TN; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Madison, WI; Muncie, IN; Nashville, TN; New Haven, CT; Portland, ME; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Redlands, CA; Richmond, IN; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; Sarasota, FL; Seattle, WA; Virginia Beach, VA; Wooster, OH.

As people around the world gather to mark White Band Day, leaders from around the world will also be gathering in Hong Kong to consider changing international rules to make trade fair. Saturday will be the final ONE “White Band Day” of 2005, one of three days this year when people from America to Zambia raise their voices as ONE and ask leaders to do more to save millions of lives in the poorest countries. Worn by teachers, doctors, students, pastors, homemakers and even celebrities, over 2 million Americans are now wearing the white band in support of the ONE Campaign.

Statements by Cities and States in support of the ONE Campaign:

Chattanooga, TN, Mayor Ron Littlefield: “Cities are places of civilization and culture. Unfortunately, they can also be places of great struggle and suffering. Poverty and the chronic health challenge of AIDS are holding us back. All cities great and small can make a difference. Chattanooga is doing its part and we encourage others to join us.”

Cleveland, OH, Mayor Jane L. Campbell: “The City of Cleveland shares in the desire to make a difference. I am in full support of the ONE Campaign’s efforts to bring awareness to these two ever-growing global situations.”

Columbus, OH, Mayor Michael B. Coleman: “Poverty and disease, whether in our neighborhoods or around the globe, diminish our quality of life and the vibrancy of our future. While we build our City into the 21st Century, we must be vocal and vigilant in defending all those who cannot defend themselves and serving all those who are in need. We are proud to be counted as a City of One, and to stand united in our belief that we can make a difference.”

 

Illinois State Rep. John Fritchey: Historically, the greatest of struggles have been overcome when individuals come together in order to eliminate an injustice, be it social, moral or medical. By making Illinois one of the first states is the country to join forces with the ONE Campaign in the global fight against HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty, we are signaling to the rest of the country that our state, its government and its people, are fully committed to eradicating this pandemic. It is unacceptable to simply stand by while HIV/AIDS kills – in Africa alone – 6,600 people per day.”

Indianapolis, IN, Mayor Bart Peterson: “History shows us that big changes can start with small actions,” said Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. Today, Indianapolis is taking a new step toward relieving worldwide poverty because we know that by working with others as a part of the ONE campaign, we can do more to save lives. We can feed and educate so many more in the world’s poorest countries.”

Lexington, KY, Mayor Teresa Ann Isaac: “Far too many people are still living at extreme levels of poverty. The ONE Campaign is an effort we can all support and be proud of because America is in the best position to eradicate poverty and make a serious commitment to finding a cure and treating those who are victims of the AIDS pandemic.”

Portland, OR, Mayor Tom Potter: “Today, more than 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day and 300 million of them live in Africa. We live in a big country, with a big heart. From our city of Portland, Oregon all the way to Portland, Maine, Americans are working together across the country to make a difference in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty around the world.”

Seattle, WA, Mayor Greg Nickels: “Seattle has long been at the forefront of helping meet the needs of those affected by poverty and injustice whether in our city, our country or halfway around the world. In a spirit of humanitarian commitment, we are proud to recognize ONE and declare Seattle as the first city in America uniting our citizens to join this historic movement.”

National and local event listings follow. For more information on local ONE Campaign activities in your city and state, please contact the ONE Campaign: (202) 464-1345.

ABOUT ONE: THE CAMPAIGN TO MAKE POVERTY HISTORY The ONE Campaign (www.one.org) is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans – ONE by ONE – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is a coalition of over 2 million supporters, founded by 11 of the nation’s most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations: Bread for the World, CARE, DATA, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, Plan USA, Save the Children US, World Concern, and World Vision. For more information and a list of all ONE coalition partners, please visit: www.one.org

DECEMBER 10, 2005: White Band Day Activities Los Angeles, CA On December 10 1,000 people will gather in downtown LA (8th and Spring St.) to form a human white band. A street party will follow. Victoria Mesa [email protected] 213-281-1877

San Francisco, CA On December 10 from 11am-12:30 pm at Royal Grounds Coffee (2060 Filmore St., SF) will be a volunteer celebration for the City of ONE proclamation. John Dolon [email protected] 765-749-8698

Washington, DC On December 10 at George Washington University students will wrap the statue of their campus mascot in a white band. Sergio Guzman [email protected] 202-538-2416

Batavia, IL On December 10 from 2-3 pm ONE Campaign volunteers from Chicago and the suburbs will gather at the Batavia Public Library (10 S Batavia St, Batavia). Anne Batchelder [email protected] 773-678-9560

Chicago, IL On December 10 at 5 pm in Washington Square Park will be a candle light vigil. Anne Batchelder [email protected] 773-678-9560

Boston, MA On December 10 ONE will table at the Cultural Survival Winter Bazaar at the Hynes Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Erin Saif McHugh [email protected] 617-619-6362

Ypsilanti, MI On December 10 at Eastern Michigan University will be a series of White Band Day events including tabling and wrapping a local landmark in a white band, Samantha Solis [email protected] 734-487-3045

Omaha, NE On December 10 at Creighton University will be a series of White Band Day events Cara Fagnant [email protected]

NY, NY On December 8-10 at New York University will be a fair trade holiday market Amanda White 240-423-8742

Nashville, TN On December 10 at 10 am people will meet at the State Capitol to spell out the word “ONE.” Katherine Pace [email protected] 615-428-3882