NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that a variety of city and state landmarks will be lit red Friday to unite New Yorkers by honoring those living with HIV and AIDS and those who have lost their lives to the disease.
City Hall and other municipal buildings will glow red Friday evening in recognition of the 35th annual World AIDS Day, the mayor’s office said.
“New York City stands in support of those living with HIV/AIDS and honors the New Yorkers we have lost to this tragic epidemic,” Adams said. “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.”
Adams also noted that City Hall will hold a reading of names vigil in solidarity with the HIV/AIDS community on Friday.
“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,” Adams said.
In addition to City Hall, the following municipal buildings will be lit red:
• Bronx County Courthouse
• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building
• Staten Island Borough Hall
• New York City Department of Sanitation Spring Street Salt Shed
The governor’s office made a similar announcement that landmarks across the state will shine red for the HIV and AIDS community.
“On World AIDS Day, we mourn those we’ve lost to this epidemic,” Hochul said. “We also honor New Yorkers currently fighting this disease – while we’ve made progress in reducing HIV infections across the state, we know there is more work to be done. Today, we are recommitting our efforts to ending this epidemic once and for all.”
Hochul issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 1 World AIDS Day in New York City, and has recently signed legislation to protect seniors and members of the LGBTQIA+ community living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination in long-term care facilities.
New York landmarks that will be lit red Friday are:
• 1WTC
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
“I’m proud of the work that has been done to bring us closer to our goal of ending the epidemic in New York, but we have more to do to find new, innovative ways to eliminate systemic barriers and improve social determinants of health for people living with diagnosed HIV,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.