PHOTOS: NYC AIDS Memorial vigil marks 45 years since CDC’s first report on epidemic

Activists, including members of ACT UP and other groups, held a vigil and die-in at the NYC AIDS Memorial on June 5 in observance of Long-Term HIV/AIDS Survivors Awareness Day and the 45th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's first report on the epidemic. The event was also part of a grassroots campaign known as Seven Days in June (June 1-7), which protests healthcare funding cuts. The June 5 event at the NYC AIDS Memorial featured Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of Callen-Lorde, Dr. Oni Blackstock, NYC AIDS Memorial board member Eric Sawyer, and actor/activist Javier Muñoz, among others. See some photos below. [caption id="attachment_63613" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Community members participate in a die-in.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63614" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The emotional candlelight vigil.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63615" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Dr. Oni Blackstock.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63616" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Dr. Demetre Daskalakis.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63617" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Peppermint.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63618" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Jeremiah Johnson.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63619" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Former State Senator Tom Duane and congressional candidate Nina Schwalbe.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63620" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Demetre Daskalakis, Eric Sawyer, Peppermint, and Javier Muñoz.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63621" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Vinay Saldanha, representing UNAIDS.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63623" align="aligncenter" width="700"] One of the organizers, Mark Hanay, participates in a “ACT UP, FIGHT BACK, FIGHT AIDS!" chant.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63624" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Longtime survivor Lee Raines.Donna Aceto[/caption] [caption id="attachment_63625" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Jason Rosenberg, Sarah Dick (of Glasgow), and Robert Monteleone.Donna Aceto[/caption]