The first protest against the criminalization of HIV in Canada was held on Parliament Hill yesterday. The protest was organized by the group Legalize AIDS and included activists, MPs, people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) and allies. They joined together to speak out against the criminal prosecution of HIV-positive people and the negative impact of the US travel ban on PHAs.

Protesters carrying signs such as ‘people don’t get tested if we criminalize HIV’ and ‘education not criminalization’ gathered to listen to MPs Libby Davies, Bill Siksay and Hedy Fry speak out against criminalization. AIDs activists David Hoe and Jay Koornstra spoke of personal experiences and the need for change in Canadian law and the impact of the US travel ban against HIV positive people.