On April 21st-23rd Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) will be hosting a weekend of action for students and allies interested in engaging in advocacy for increasing access to life-saving medicines. Together, with other grassroots advocacy organizations, including the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), The Other 98%, Treatment Action Group, Health GAP, the Student Global AIDS Campaign and the Youth Alliance for Health as a Human Right, we will organize for and attend the March for Science on Saturday the 22nd, where UAEM NA Board President, Gloria Tavera, will be speaking. We will meet for the March at 9 AM at the Peet's Coffee at 435 11th St NW.

On Sunday the 23rd, we will meet at UAEM's office at 641 S St NW at 9 AM to plan and deliver a creative action calling on the National Institutes of Health to #takebackourmeds by urging them to introduce a policy to ensure that publicly funded research results in medicines that are affordable for the public.

We will also host an Access2Meds happy hour the evening of Friday the 21st at 6 PM at the Brixton, and a social event for attendees and friends on Saturday night from 6-9 PM at Busboys & Poets, 1025 5th St NW.

A complete schedule will be sent out to everyone who RSVPs in advance. Please RSVP even if you don't plan to attend the entire weekend of events!

For more up-to-date information on locations and times for events go to our Facebook event.

Now more than ever, with the National Institutes for Health (NIH) budget under threat, it is essential that the research they fund using taxpayer dollars is used to benefit the public as best it can. On the 30th anniversary of ACT UP, we once again need to bring advocates from across the country together to make our voices heard at a time when silence is costing lives. ACT UP's Storm the NIH action in 1990 was instrumental to the success of their campaign to increase federal research for HIV/AIDS.

May 21st, 1990 “Storm the NIH” Action

Just as over 1,000 activists did 27 years ago, we  must come together to stand up and speak out, calling on the NIH to take action, and remind them that "medical treatments must be developed for public health, not for private profit."

The current climate for science is truly unprecedented and we have a unique opportunity to leverage existing momentum in order to raise our collective voices in support for access to science and the fruits of scientific research! Join us as we converge in support of the science that leads to lifesaving medical innovations at our universities and as we fight to hold the NIH accountable to the public!

We will be offering the opportunity to sponsor students to attend and can currently provide limited travel support as needed for students, up to 75% of $100 USD. Depending on our fundraising efforts we may also be able to provide meals and cover local transportation. Please RSVP and indicate whether you are applying for funding and/or housing.