Security Concerns Shift AIDS Walk Los Angeles

The 17th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, which has previously started and ended at Paramount Pictures, has been moved to the Pacific Design Center because of security concerns following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, officials announced yesterday. The Oct. 21 event was moved because of the heightened security at southern California movie studios, said Craig E. Thompson, executive director of AIDS Project Los Angeles. Security guards are checking under cars that enter the studio, Thompson said, and examining picture identification of everyone entering the lot.

"The pure logistics wouldn't work," Thompson said. "We expect 27,000 people to participate, and how could we do 27,000 security checks?" When the 10K (6.2-mile) walk began in 1985, it attracted 4,500 participants. Over the years, the walk has evolved into an annual event for thousands of people to unite in the fight against HIV or to remember a loved one who died of AIDS. Last year almost 28,000 people participated.

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