Streets closed in West Hollywood and L.A. for AIDS Walk Los Angeles
Sections of San Vicente, Santa Monica and Beverly boulevards and a portion of Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood and Los Angeles will be closed Sunday for the 29th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
More than 30,000 people are expected to walk the 6.2-mile route, which benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization that offers services, education and other assistance to the 60,000 people living with AIDS in Los Angeles, said Brent Colby, director of strategic partnerships and communications for the walk.
The route begins at West Hollywood Park, travels east on Santa Monica Boulevard, south on La Cienega Boulevard, east on Melrose Avenue, south on La Brea Avenue and west on Beverly Boulevard, heading north on San Vicente Boulevard to return to the park.
All roads are set to reopen by 6 p.m. (click here for a summary of closures, and here for further event day information.)
Celebrities on hand this year will include Richard Simmons at a 9 a.m. aerobic warmup, plus Wayne Brady, Drew Carey, Pauley Perrette and Corbin Bleu. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land are also scheduled to speak.
The event began in 1984 during the height of the AIDS epidemic to supplement the government’s minimal response to the crisis, according to AIDS Walk. That year 4,500 people took part and raised $673,000.
Last year, walkers brought in $2.9 million. AIDS Walk expects to raise about the same amount of money this year, Colby said.
Walkers can still sign up online, or can to sign up in West Hollywood Park on Sunday.
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Twitter: @Sam_Schaefer
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