Thug Life Army

We can remember back in April when the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s Russell Simmons was ‘brokering’ a peace between PETA and KFC over chickens.

Many hip-hop and rap artists, among many other genre’s artists and hollywoods film stars support PETA, and we see them wearing the PETA ribbon and it may be time that we look at the whole picture of PETA’s plan before we decide what we are willing to support.

The hip-hop community is well aware of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is affecting our population and the world as a whole. We in hip-hop culture are seeing prevention and awareness programs everywhere. BET’s Rap it Up campaign is a very high profile campaign that we are well aware of, and there are many other PSA’s that we hear and see.

We have lost artists to the disease; most notably in hip-hop and rap - the late great hip-hop gangsta rap icon Eric ‘Eazy E’ Wright. ; (R.I.P.)

ACT UP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and AIDS activists and advocacy groups have released this letter that brings to the forefront one flaw in the PETA stand on animal testing.

How can some in hip-hop, or Hollywood or any genre; on one hand help promote HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and on the other hand support an organization who is against the possibility of finding a cure for the disease? This letter is directed at a hollywoood star but should be directed to all stars in all genres. Read the following info and letter and see why they say ''You Cannot Wear an AIDS ribbon and Call Yourself a PETA Supporter’.

Two days before People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) holds its 25th anniversary gala at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, a coalition of AIDS activists has attacked the group for impeding the fight for a cure to AIDS and other devastating diseases.

In a letter to PeTA spokesperson Charlize Theron, ACT UP!, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and numerous other AIDS activists and advocacy groups demanded that Theron set an example for other celebrity endorsers of PeTA and withdraw her support for the radical organization.

PeTA which publicly advocates a total ban on animal testing -- even if it means a cure to diseases such as diabetes or AIDS -- has actively courted Hollywood stars to promote its benevolent image and to fill its $25 million a year coffers.

According to coalition organizer Genevieve Clavreul, "You cannot wear an AIDS ribbon and call yourself a PeTA supporter. It is an insult to the 37 million people living with HIV/AIDS and it is an insult to the memory of the 20 million people who have died from this terrible disease."

With the release of the letter to Charlize Theron, Patient Advocates Against PeTA is kicking off a campaign targeting Hollywood celebrities, calling them to account for their high profile role in hindering the search for a cure to AIDS and other incurable diseases.

The following is a copy of the letter from Patient Advocates Against PeTA to Charlize Theron, dated September 7, 2005:

September 7, 2005

Ms. Charlize Theron

c/o PMK/HBH

700 San Vicente Blvd. Suite G ***

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Dear Ms. Theron,

As a world-famous actress who sets an example for people across the globe, we, the undersigned advocates of a cure for AIDS, oppose your endorsement of PeTA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

PeTA opposes AIDS research that requires the study of lab animals. PeTA's President Ingrid Newkirk once said even if animal research produced a cure for AIDS, "we''d be against it."

We agree with you that animals should be treated with compassion, and we applaud your efforts to advance animal welfare.  However, we value human life as well. Humane, responsible animal research represents the best chance and holds the greatest potential to find a cure for AIDS.

Today, there are 37 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.  In the past 25 years, 20 million people have died from AIDS. By 2010, 44 million children will have been orphaned by the disease. Despite recent gains in medicine, 3 million people with AIDS died in 2003.

Your advertisements for PeTA -- and participation as an honorary committee member of its upcoming 25th Anniversary Gala on September 10, 2005 -- legitimize this group's opposition to AIDS research, jeopardizing the lives of millions worldwide.

Ms. Theron, you have a choice: You can choose to support the search for a cure to AIDS, or you can continue to support an organization that stands in our way. On behalf of the millions of people living with HIV and AIDS, we hope you will join our fight for a cure.

Patient Advocates Against PeTA

For a full list of those who signed this letter and for more information, visit the site of Patient Advocates Against PeTA HERE.