On May 5, 2021 the world cheered when the Biden administration backed a proposal to waive pharmaceutical monopoly rules standing in the way of increased COVID vaccine production — an essential step to making vaccines accessible worldwide, saving lives and ending the pandemic.
Here we are a full year later, however, and nothing has changed.
This May, we could be celebrating a year of increased access to lifesaving vaccines, tests and treatments under a comprehensive waiver of intellectual property rights. Instead, we’re forced to continue mourning thousands of avoidable deaths each day as a result of inaction.
Please join us in cities around the country for unhappy birthday party actions highlighting both the absurdity of pharmaceutical monopolies still being allowed to prolong the ongoing global pandemic and the urgency of global vaccine, test and treatment equity. The outdoor festivities will include unhappy birthday cakes, party favors, toasts and birthday-candlelight vigils.
Event locations, times and contacts are below:
New York, N.Y.
Thursday, May 05, 2022 • 2:00 PM ET
Robert Moses Playground East 42nd & 1st Avenue, New York, NY
George Kimball (george@citizenstrade.org)
Austin, Texas
Tuesday, May 03, 2022 • 11:00 AM CT
South Gate @ Texas Capitol 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX
Clayton Tucker (clayton@tradejusticeedfund.org)
Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, May 04, 2022 • 6:00 PM CT
Dallas City Hall 1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX
Clayton Tucker (clayton@tradejusticeedfund.org)
Seattle, Wash.
Saturday, May 07, 2022 • 4:00 PM PT
Washington State Convention Center Plaza 705 Pike St, Seattle, WA
Julie Bouanna (julie@washingtonfairtrade.org)
Berkley, Calif.
Thursday, May 05, 2022 • 1:30 PM PT
Sather Gate, UC Berkeley Campus• Sather Gate, Berkeley, CA 94720
Will Jamil Wiltschko, director (will@citizenstrade.org)
Can’t make it in person? Please send an “Unhappy Birthday Card” urging President Biden to make good on the promise of vaccine, test and treatment equity.
365 days. The world shouldn’t have to wait a single day longer. Please act now!
On May 5, 2021, President Biden backed a waiver of pharma rules standing in the way of COVID vaccine production.
One year later and nothing has changed. Join us this week for unhappy birthday parties highlighting global vaccine inequity. Learn more: https://t.co/9AllXi2Lld
— Trade Justice Education Fund (@TradeJusticeEd) May 2, 2022