Mayor Adams Announces City Hall and Municipal Buildings to be lit Red for World AIDS Day

December 1, 2023

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and several municipal buildings will be lit red tonight in recognition of the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day – a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV/AIDS and remember the lives lost from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses.

“New York City stands in support of those living with HIV/AIDS and honors the New Yorkers we have lost to this tragic epidemic,” said Mayor Adams. “While New York City has been hit by this crisis harder than any other city in the country, we are also the birthplace of the national movement to help those living with HIV/AIDS, make treatment more accessible, and reduce disparities to prevention and care, especially in communities of color. I am proud to host the first-ever World AIDS Day Reading of Names Vigil at City Hall, and today, in solidarity with the HIV/AIDS community, our administration recommits itself to fighting to end this epidemic, reducing associated stigma and prejudice, and ensuring that every New Yorker has access to the health care they need.”

“Every step in the HIV movement was underscored by tragedy and loss, but its successes radically transformed the field of public health and changed the hearts and minds of generations that followed,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The people who worked in this movement changed history, and World AIDS Day is an important moment to reflect on what’s been achieved and recommit to doing whatever it takes to end the epidemic once and for all.”

“The AIDS epidemic continues to have a deep impact on the world, including New York City, and is a significant reminder of our need to work together globally to advance public health,” said Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Edward Mermelstein. “New York City is a recognized leader in the work to combat HIV/AIDS. Today and every day we remember those we have lost and continue our resolve to support those who are living with this virus while preventing new infections.”

“On World AIDS Day, we remember our fallen friends, family members, and loved ones who have suffered from HIV/AIDS,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “Lighting our municipal buildings in red is a beautiful public display of our solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS and those we sadly lost. Today, and every day, we must continue to fight for a cure to HIV/AIDS and end the harmful stigma around these illnesses.”

“World AIDS Day is a time to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those we have lost,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “With this year’s theme being ‘Let Communities Lead,’ there is still work to do as we continue to raise awareness and work towards eliminating stigma and discrimination.” 

“I join with Mayor Adams in recognizing World AIDS Day, a day when we remember the loved ones we lost to AIDS and renew our commitment to fighting this disease,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Today, City Hall will be lit in red as a reminder that HIV/AIDS is still a global epidemic: over 132,000 of our fellow New Yorkers are HIV positive, and we lost 1,603 precious lives in our city to AIDS last year. Today, we say to everyone touched by HIV/AIDS that we see you and we are fighting for you. We have the tools to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, and I look forward to working with Mayor Adams to achieve this goal.”

"As we illuminate our city in red on World AIDS Day, let us cast a beacon of remembrance and solidarity," said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee. "Together, through our shared commitment and support, we honor those we've lost, stand with those still fighting, and recommit to pursuing policies to break down barriers and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS and end this epidemic once and for all."

In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings and iconic New York City sites will be lit up red:

• Bronx County Courthouse: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Staten Island Borough Hall: 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
• New York City Department of Sanitation Spring Street Salt Shed: 336 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013

For more information on prevention methods and access to treatment, visit the NYC Health HIV/AIDS website.

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