4/27 CONCERT & GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION

[Guest guest]

" Injustice anywhere represents a threat to justice everywhere "

- Luther King, Jr.

WAKE UP EVERYBODY! FREEDOM FROM AIDS

THE CONCERT & GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION

FREEDOM DAY, APRIL 27TH, 2002,

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Patron: Mandela

Artists Against AIDS Worldwide (AAAW) recently empowered the

biggest Pop stars on earth to remake Marvin Gaye's 30 year old

masterpiece, " What's Going On? " Bono, Backstreet Boys, Destiny's

Child, Fred Durst, Nona Gaye, Keys, Ja Rule, ,

Nelly, Nellie Furtado, Nas, P. Diddy, N'Sync, ?uestlove, Britney

Spears, Staind, Wyclef Eve, L'il Kim and Aguilera

came together to bring an urgent message to the world.

Their message? Either we can act now through our governments,

corporations, churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, computers, CD

players, TV sets and other means to end the spreading death from AIDS,

or we can leave Africa to die, According to the CIA, AIDS is engulfing

the continent at an unimaginable and unprecedented rate and human cost

which now threatens the welfare and security of the entire globe.

Since Sept 11th political leaders now agree that we can no longer

afford to live on islands of prosperity in oceans of poverty. " What's

Going On " not only brings the tragedy of AIDS to global attention, it

issues a clear call for the practical measures, political leadership,

public mobilization, and above all the cash needed to end this

tragedy.

It is already too late for the 6000 Africans who died today, the 17

million Africans who have already died from AIDS in total, and the 3

million who died in 2001. We must remember them. But is not too late

for the 44 million AIDS orphans who will populate the Africa of 2010

if we do not act now. The choice is ours - we must turn our attention

to " Wake Up Everybody " in Africa and around the World and take

appropriate action.

The AIDS crisis demands a response parallel to the civil rights

movement and the struggle against apartheid. Both movements joined

Africans, Americans and the world in a common struggle for justice

and freedom. This location and the fact that April 27th is Freedom

Day, recalls these struggles and reminds us that when people come

together in a common cause, " Freedom from AIDS " has got to come now.

WAKE UP EVERYBODY: FREEDOM FROM AIDS

Johannesburg, April 27th, 2002 The Worldwide Event

Music worldwide has inherited an immeasurable amount of inspiration

from African people. " Wake Up Everybody-The Concert and Global

Day Action " provides a unique opportunity to hear the latest rhythms

coming from African Artists, along with the music that has evolved

from Africa to America, through our top international stars.

Confirmed major artists include Destiny's Child, Keys, India

Arie, Luther Vandross, Angie Stone, Erykah Badu, Nelly Furtado, Eve,

Missy Elliot, JaRule, Shaggy, Stevie Wonder, Coolio, Meshell. On

video feed Puffy, N'Sync, and the Dave s Band will appear.

More artists are confirming every day. This will be much more

than just a concert. It will be a mainstream popular phenomenon,

which must define the new " Stop Global AIDS " movement. It will also

be highly interactive, sending viewers to their computers to take

action,win contests, tickets, e-mail world leaders and much more. The

concert will take place at Ellis Park (www.ellispark.co.za).

We are leaving on the " Flight for Life " which will be a dedicated

South African Airlines 747, carrying the greatest of American

culture, on this justice mission. A documentary is being made of the journey

and NBC's The Today Show, Dateline, Newsweek, BBC and BET will be on

the plane. We touch down and see the beauty of the land and the

African People.

On Freedom Day, South Africa's most important public holiday,

signifying the end of apartheid and the beginning of South Africa's democracy,

will now be associated with Freedom From AIDS. There will be live

TV and radio broadcasts throughout Africa on the day of the concert.

We will be broadcasting a major TV Special, a combination of the

concert and the documentary footage, a worldwide telecast that is

designed to build pressure on the G7 countries to take bold action

to stop global AIDS during the Alberta Canada G7 meeting.

Legendary African American artists continually inspire today's

artists. From Marvin to Aretha, from a to Al Green, Donnie

Hathaway to Bob Marley, Gladys Knight to Barry White and more. At

this concert, each of our artists will be performing a song from one

of their inspirations, bringing the culture full circle and back to

Africa where it all began. Along with the artists flying in from the

US and UK, will be major African artists, led by Youssou N' Dour,

who will remind us where the rhythms came from. It will be a

legendary moment in music history and one that will make an

incredible album.

" Wake Up Everybody " is linked to the " Stop Global AIDS "

movement. The answer to our question is up to the world to decide.

Political leaders could do more, but they need proof that Americans

and Europeans care enough about Africa to make change possible!

This concert provides a platform to inform in a way that can make

that change. If enough people call (scream) for a major response to end the

crisis in Africa, then leaders will be forced to take concrete and immediate

action. " Wake Up Everybody " will fast-track this process by

explicitly calling for more emergency money from the governments of

the richest nations to go towards the basic health and education

services needed to win the fight against AIDS in Africa.

NGOs and trade unions are preparing to call for a global day of action

on April 27 to enusre that our political leaders know that the time

has come to Stop Global AIDS. Already, groups are mobilizing in 35

African countries and in 100 cities in the US and Europe to hold

concerts, rallies, marches and other events on April 27, 2002

People will be mobilized through the following slogans:

… Donate the Dollars: globally $1.4 billion was spent on AIDS in

2001. At least $10 billion each year is required now!

… Drop the Debt: the majority of the world's poorest nations

suffering from AIDS still spend more repaying debts than on

healthcare. There is consensus this must change but bureaucracy

and inertia creates deadly delay.

… Treat the People: essential medicines, including antiretrovirals,

must be made available at prices that the poorest can afford.

We must act now to prevent the biggest disaster in history, and help

children to have the hopes and dreams that they are entitled to.

Our website at www.aaaw.org will provide you with much more

information on our organization. For information on NGO action

and events, please contact pzeitz@...

Don't miss it. It will change your life.