Asia Russell

@asia-ilse

Global HIV/AIDS, health advocacy and policy. Fighting for health justice and access to medicines for all. Executive Director @HealthGAP

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Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir asia-ilse.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jun 5

Cursory glance at the ADA meeting guidelines show the scientists were in no way violating them by distributing their editorial. Of course. ADA conference organizers should apologize publicly, readmit these heroes, and fess up as to who ordered this deplorable and lawless action by police.

All attendees will conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner, free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation. Inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to harassment; threatening or unwelcome physical or verbal actions; or disorderly or disruptive conduct such as protesting, will not be tolerated.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jun 2

keeping track of brazen lies he has told so far: -Ebola Bundibugyo response under Trump has been "faster and more effective" than in 2014 -Countries 'love' health MOUs -Global health funding hasn't been cut it's been 'repurposed' 📸 Brendan SMIALOWSKI

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jun 2

Breaking: 10 activists were arrested protesting Rubio today for his new attacks on lifesaving PEPFAR and global health programs, read more about his lies and spin before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today -> healthgap.org/press/activi... #SavePEPFAR

People sit protesting with signs in front of a Senate hearing room door, they are shouting and their signs read "Rubio Kills People with AIDS" and have a picture of Rubio

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jun 2

@booker.senate.gov just asked Rubio about HIV, TB malaria cuts and gutting of USAID, including early detection of Ebola programs. Rubio lied shamelessly, claiming funds have been 'repurposed,' making us safer, which is untrue www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/rev... see from around min 26

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· May 27

..:from the same article:

Remdesivir was trialled in a 2018–19 DRC outbreak of another species of Ebola virus called Zaire, as well as against SARS-CoV-2 during the global pandemic, where its efficacy was modest. MBP134 was administered in a 2022 outbreak of the Sudan species of Ebola in Uganda, but this was done outside of a clinical trial under ‘compassionate use’ in which patients with a life-threatening disease can get access to investigational therapies. It was not possible to determine whether the drug worked or not.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· May 8

A bitch. The president called ABC journalist Rachel Scott, a Black woman, a bitch yesterday after she asked him about his priorities. He also implied he is clean and she is dirty. Interior Secretary Bergum laughed like a sycophant Long practice of completely disinhibited racism and misogyny

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Apr 17

NEWS: In response to Rubio's pressure on Zambia and other countries to cede mineral wealth in exchange for HIV treatment and other health aid, Sens. Shaheen, Schatz and Coons call on him to "make clear that commercial diplomacy must do no harm" cdn.sanity.io/files/ifn0l6...

The Honorable Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520-0099
Dear Secretary Rubio,
We are alarmed by reports that officials at the U.S. Department of State are proposing to
withhold U.S. support for HIV treatment for 1.3 million HIV positive Zambians, and previously
pledged economic assistance by the Millenium Challenge Corporation unless Zambian
officials agree to provide the United States favorable economic reforms for U.S businesses. We
urge you to reject this tactic of economic coercion.
Holding lifesaving assistance hostage for American access to Zambian copper mines is a
disturbing break from the long held bipartisan support for PEPFAR. In the wake of the chaos
created by the stop work orders in early 2025, confusion over the narrow definition of what
constitutes “lifesaving” aid, and a lack of transparency around U.S. global health assistance
budget and performance data, Congress has reaffirmed near full funding for such assistance.
However, we remain disturbed that PEPFAR and other health programs are not fully operational.
In that environment, this added development that the State Department may begin
conditioning health assistance on economic concessions would again risk disrupting health
access for people whose lives depend on daily treatment. 
We support your commitment to the Lobito Corridor which will traverse through
Zambia to enhance regional connectivity, secure critical mineral supply chains, and drive
sustainable economic growth. That is why we are surprised to learn that funding to Zambia
through the MCC and DFC are also contingent on critical mineral related negotiations. We agree
that critical minerals are essential to our strategic national security and economic future, and we
share your goal of encouraging greater reforms and an even playing field for U.S. businesses in
Zambia, which would be mutually beneficial to both countries. But we believe any concessions
secured by leveraging health or dev…

We urge you to update guidance to foreign service officers in the field and in Washington, D.C.,
to make clear that commercial diplomacy must do no harm and must support other foreign policy
and national security priorities.
We thank you for your attention to this important issue and look forward to your response.  
Sincerely,
______________________ _

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Apr 15

see us, from June 25 2025:

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Apr 4

The AG has until Thursday to file a rejoinder. We will be watching and reading carefully and closely— And then all eyes on the hearing April 15. Join us to protest, outside the courthouse at 9am!

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 31

Gilead spends millions on PR to make 2 million doses sound like something other than the pittance it is. 2 million will have virtually no impact, see the green line below >>

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 31

this is opposite to what product introduction should be, clinics need to shout about lenacapavir from the rooftops, otherwise it will take >15 yrs to achieve scale-- we called this effort little more than a 'vanity project' in the New York Times; we were right then www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/h...

PEPFAR has funds appropriated for prevention that could provide ”bridge” funding until the generics kick in, said Asia Russell, executive director of the advocacy group Health GAP.

The State Department’s “vanity project” to get the drug to 2 million people will make barely a dent in that need, she added: “The U.S. has responded to the science with a whimper instead of a roar.”

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 30

today State spox Tommy Pigott offered an unhinged comment--he can't defend stealing medicine and prevention from millions of people so he invokes instead...George Soros? Note, he can't deny State is pursuing this approach, because it's true >> www.politico.com/newsletters/...

STATE DEPT. LASHES OUT AT HEALTH ORGS — A State Department spokesperson responded to a plea from global health and faith groups to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on a bilateral health funding deal with Zambia by attacking the organizations, Carmen reports.

Nearly 100 groups sent a letter to Rubio on Thursday asking him to reject a reported plan to withhold health funding to Zambia if it doesn’t sign a critical-minerals agreement with the U.S.

The groups include Doctors Without Borders, the Global Health Council, Health GAP, the Presbyterian Church and Partners in Health.

Tommy Pigott, the State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, responded to Carmen’s request for comment in an emailed statement: “Most of these ‘signatories’ aren’t neutral — they’re a predictable roster of woke advocacy groups, George Soros–backed organizations, and NGOs that already ran to court to stop our foreign assistance realignment—and lost.”

Soros is an investor and philanthropist who’s financed liberal causes and has been accused by the Trump administration and some European government officials of funding antigovernment protests and what some call radical-left causes.

Pigott said the groups are “lashing out because the money spigot is being turned off” and added that the groups’ posturing as watchdogs isn’t credible.

Pigott didn’t respond to a question about whether reporting from The New York Times that U.S. diplomats were advising Rubio to withhold health funding for Zambia if it doesn’t provide America greater access to its critical minerals was accurate.

Another State Department spokesperson, who didn’t provide their name, said the department doesn’t comment on leaked documents or on deliberative diplomatic discussions.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 11

Lifesaving global & domestic HIV programs are under attack by Trump, Vought & RFK Jr. March 16 join Health GAP in support of Save HIV Funding's protest condemning deadly cuts. Activism works: bit.ly/shf-pre-obit @aidsunited.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @prep4allnow.bsky.social

Flyer reading: RSVP to the Save HIV Funding Celebration of Life Protest on Monday, March 16 at 12:00 Noon ET, in front of HHS Building

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 10

this is 2nd legal action in one day by Maryland's AG against DHS' regime of torture: AG also sued DHS over inhumane, illegal conditions of confinement at Baltimore ICE detention center, massive public health threat including alleged Legionella outbreak, see: www.wmar2news.com/local/maryla...

"The conditions inside the Baltimore holding cells have been dangerous, inhumane, and unlawful — and ICE and DHS have done everything in their power to keep us from finding out just how bad they are. The agencies have stonewalled our investigation while people in their custody are denied critical medical care and forced to sleep on cold cement and live in their own excrement," Attorney General Brown said.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 10

#GoodNews! Feb 23 Maryland AG sued DHS over concentration camp in Williamsport, MD; DHS promptly awarded massive new contracts (w/KVG LLC & Anovaeon LLC), barreling forward; today AG has sought temp restraining order against any work on warehouse for min. 14 days: oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/A...

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that the Court enter an order:
A. Temporarily restraining Defendants, for a period of fourteen days, from proceeding with
construction activities required to build, retrofit, or otherwise convert the Williamsport
Warehouse, at 16220 Wright Road, alternatively identified as 10900 Hopewell Road,
Williamsport, Maryland 21795, into an immigration detention facility.
B. Requiring Defendants to file a status report within 48 hours describing all steps
Defendants have taken to comply with the Court’s Order.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 5

see: www.instagram.com/reel/DVgtGdn...

Image of black AIDS activist banner dropped from House Cannon Rotunda reading "Over 200,000 Deaths Since January 2025" in white and red lettering

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Mar 5

#BREAKING: 13 arrested in Cannon House Rotunda demanding immediate release of $977 million in PEPFAR funding illegally impounded by Vought, read: bit.ly/PEPFARSlowDown and press release: healthgap.org/press/activi... @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @treatmentactiongroup.org

Chanting activists hang banners from Cannon House Rotunda

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Feb 24

2) Cameroon has had its lifesaving HIV, malaria ++ programs slashed by Rubio by 28% despite Congress fully appropriating funding in FY26 for these programs (see: @kff.org tracker: www.kff.org/global-healt... and (3/6)

Horizontal bar graph comparing historical funding in FY24 for health priorities with new funding levels in FY26. Cameroon's funding cut is 28%

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Feb 24

We can't rely on this lawsuit alone, though: keep pressure ON to stop Maryland's concentration camp: 2 steps, starting tomorrow: - Feb 24 www.wcindivisible.com/take-action.... & - March 28: www.mobilize.us/nokings/even... & stay in touch w/our new coalition here: -> stopthecampsmaryland.com <-

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Feb 24

"Defendants’ actions are unlawful....This Court should vacate & set aside Defendants’ decision to purchase the Williamsport Warehouse...[and] should enjoin further implementation of decision to convert Williamsport Warehouse into an immigration detention facility." oag.maryland.gov/News/Documen...

PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, the State prays that this Court:
i. Declare that Defendants’ decision to purchase, convert, maintain, and operate an immigration detention facility at the Williamsport Warehouse is contrary to law and violates NEPA and the APA;
ii. Vacate and set aside Defendants’ decision to purchase the Williamsport Warehouse for the purpose of converting it into an immigration detention facility;
iii. Temporarily restrain, preliminarily enjoin, and stay Defendants from further implementing their decision to purchase the Williamsport Warehouse for the purpose of converting it into an immigration detention facility;
iv. Grant such other relief as this Court may deem proper.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Feb 19

More here. Impeach and remove RFK:

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which makes recommendations for who should get which vaccines, had been scheduled to meet from February 25-27, according to the CDC's website. But no Federal Register notice had been made to announce the meeting, nor had the CDC posted an agenda.

Later on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice notified a federal judge in Boston of the postponement, which occurred days after medical groups opposed to Kennedy's vaccine agenda had gone to court asking him to block the panel from meeting.
The committee's recommendations historically have been used to guide U.S. health insurance coverage, state policies on vaccines needed for schools and how physicians advise parents and patients. The panel faced multiple revamps last year, after Kennedy fired all 17 of its members in June.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Feb 10

According to the story they have shared the cuts with Congress; but I don't know if an actual rescission request has been made

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 25

Follow the courage and vision of mothers and children trapped in concentration camps, putting their bodies on the line, protesting for their liberty and condemning the execution of #AlexPretti, an ICU nurse, a helper, murdered in cold blood by ICE today

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 20

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 19

I don't know who needs to hear his but protesting ICE officials in churches is 100% legitimate as a tactic; these monsters should not know peace or "civility." Create a political cost for state sanctioned torture, kidnapping and murder or it will continue to happen: archive.ph/miQ4F

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 19

@reuters.com photo, Hmong man kidnapped today by white supremacist ICE slave patrols in Minnesota, has obvious bruises on his shins and stomach. I am not a doctor but life threatening conditions such as diabetes come to mind; ready bruising including from insulin injections. Protect this elder.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 13

@nytimes.com headline editors, how hard is it to write something accurate and not pro tyranny? Such as "Trump Asserts Unconstitutional 'Comply or be Murdered' Standard for Protesters" or "Contradicting Federal Law, Trump Claims "Disrespect" as Justification for Extrajudicial Killing in America"

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 7

Emergency mobilization *today,* 4PM, for those in and near DC.

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 5

In 2025, more was spent on Halloween candy than by Trump on humanitarian aid, see: 2025https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/great-aid-recession-2025s-humanitarian-crash-nine-charts

Asia Russell@asia-ilse· Jan 5

Feeling paralyzed already by the 2026 news cycle? Start off your New Year taking action! Join us 8am, Jan 7 when State Dept head of foreign aid and ex-DOGE ghoul Jeremy Lewin will be spreading lies about deaths and suffering from Trump's foreign aid strategy (thread): -> bit.ly/LewinProtest