On July 23, 2012, the streets of Washington, D.C. echoed with chants and powerful messages as AHF organized a passionate protest march during the XIX International AIDS Conference. Protesters, clad in bold “Stop PEPFAR Cuts” shirts and carrying signs that read “NO CUTS TO PEPFAR” and “The War on AIDS Has Not Been Won,” made their way from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to the White House. AHF’s goal was clear: urge President Obama to reverse his proposed cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Color photo of Dr. Penninah Iutung holding fan and sign that reads, “Mr. President: The War On AIDS Has Not Been Won” with other protesters during PEPFAR cuts demonstration in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.
PEPFAR, launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush, is one of the most impactful global health initiatives in U.S. history. It has supported antiretroviral treatment for over a million people and helped prevent millions of HIV infections, primarily in Africa. However, in 2012, the Obama administration proposed a $214 million cut to global AIDS funding—the first time such a reduction had been suggested by a sitting U.S. president. In stark contrast, the House of Representatives had recently approved a budget maintaining full funding levels from the previous year, highlighting bipartisan support for the lifesaving program.
AHF stepped up as a leading voice in opposition to these cuts. “Through this protest march, we are demanding that President Obama stop cuts to PEPFAR,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. AHF’s advocacy emphasized the continued urgency of the HIV/AIDS crisis, especially in underserved regions, and the need to maintain, not reduce, the progress made over the past decade.
Color photo of protester holding sign that reads, “Stop PEPFAR Cuts” with other demonstrators in Washington, D.C.
The march itself was a vivid display of unity, urgency, and unwavering commitment to global health equity. With the White House as a symbolic backdrop, protesters highlighted that millions of lives depended on sustained U.S. leadership in the fight against AIDS. AHF’s message was not only directed at policymakers but also served as a wake-up call to the international community that the war on AIDS was far from over.
Color photo of protesters during PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) cuts demonstration in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.
AHF’s leadership in this protest was not just about dollars and policy—it was about people. More than a decade later, that same fight continues, as today’s administration also proposes cuts to global HIV/AIDS funding, threatening to undo hard-won progress. AHF’s relentless advocacy remains a powerful force, ensuring that the needs of millions around the world are not forgotten.
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