South Carolina: Wind-Tossed AIDS Caravan Makes Its Way to Columbia

On Wednesday, a caravan of AIDS activists is expected in Columbia for a rally offering information, music and prayer at the State House. WIS-TV's Craig Melvin will host the event.

The caravan is one of 10 traveling the country in support of the Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA). Similar caravans are visiting more than 150 U.S. cities. They will converge in Washington on Saturday for a march, protests and legislative lobbying.

"We want to welcome the caravan participants and show them some Southern hospitality," said Karen Bates, an event organizer from Columbia. "Some of them have survived HIV and also hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

The main goals of C2EA are: promoting the financing of HIV/AIDS patient services globally; increasing efforts to find treatments and a cure; promoting proven prevention methods; and protecting patients' rights.

"We're lucky in South Carolina that pretty much anyone who wants to get treatment in urban areas can get it," Bates said. "In rural areas, they might have to travel [to be treated]. We want to urge our legislators to support more effective action against AIDS, so that everyone with HIV -- no matter whether they live in South Carolina or sub-Saharan Africa -- will have treatment and support services."

Wednesday's rally is scheduled for 10 a.m.

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