French HIV/Aids activist shares lessons with Zambians

Members of the Treatment Action and Literacy Campaign (TALC) in Zambia, recently had an opportunity to share notes on advocacy and activism, with their French counterparts.

Khalil Elouardighi, a member of Act Up Paris, met with TALC members during a week-long visit to Lusaka in mid-May. The TALC activists talked about their projects and programmes, and their engagement with the authorities over access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy, while Elouardighi shared lessons from Act Up Paris's activism over many years.

The Parisian explained how, using a very public and confrontational approach, Act Up Paris has been able to help secure many improvements in policy and law relating to people living with HIV/AIds. For example, as a result of pressure over the years, medical treatment for people living with HIV/Aids is completely free, and it is also illegal for the French government to deport illegal foreigners who are HIV positive.

According to Elouardighi, the organisation was founded in 1989 and modelled on the example of Act Up New York. There are 8 staff members, but most of the work is done by a large team of volunteers. Interestingly, the paid staff members are all equal to one another and receive exactly the same pay -- there is no hierarchy.

Act Up from time to time engages in activities that are very visible, and often controversial. For example, Aids activists once barged into a government minister's office, handcuffed themselves to the radiator, and then called the media.

Elouardighi describes this activity as 'symbolic violence'. While Act Up is never, ever, physically violent, their action is aimed at highlighting and symbolically reversing the "real violence: denying the rights of people with HIV/Aids". Their activist stunts are designed to 'overturn' the perceived legitimacy of government officials and elected office-bearers. "These people are often seen as having legitimacy just because of their positions, even when they are doing wrong", said Elouarghidi. The aim of Act Up's actions is to remind everyone that real legitimacy lies with ordinary people living with HIV/Aids.