NIAC celebrates World AIDS Day

The North Idaho AIDS Coalition (NIAC) is offering free HIV/AIDS testing the week of Dec. 1 to celebrate World AIDS Day.

"We are doing a few different things this year for World AIDS day," Dani Clarkson, NIAC executive director, said.

Beginning at at 10 a.m. NIAC is offering free testing at NIC. Testing will go until 1 p.m.

This year's theme for World AIDS Day is Universal access and human rights.

"Basically it means the goal of global leaders is to work towards universal access to preventative care and treatment and that we as a whole need to start recognizing those as fundamental human rights," Clarkson said.

This year NIAC is also teaming up with the Human Rights Education Institute.

"Around 5:30 p.m., we are collaborating with them to have speeches, a candlelight vigil, it will be more of a celebration," Clarkson said. "One of the great things happening throughout the state, is everyone is supposed to wear red that day. Not just a red ribbon."

To wrap up the festivities, at 7 p.m. NIC is presenting "The Anatomy of Hate," a film by Mike Ramsdell, along with a discussion with him following the film.

"It is a great time for all of us to really blend again," Clarkson said.