U2's Bono Sings New Song At AIDS Tour Kickoff
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| Photo:
MTV News |
Bono closed out a two-hour AIDS
awareness rally in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday with a new song called "America's
Prayer."
Addressing more than 2,300 people on World AIDS Day, the singer discussed the
AIDS epidemic in Africa and encouraged Americans to help halt the spread of the
deadly disease.
Lincoln was the first of seven cities Bono will visit as part of the Heart of
America Tour, spearheaded by the nonprofit advocacy group Debt, AIDS, Trade for
Africa, founded by the Irish political rocker earlier this year.
"It's not about charity," the Associated Press quoted Bono as saying. "It's about
justice and equality. I'm not here to lecture, and even though it's Sunday I'm
not here to preach."
Actress Ashley Judd and four-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong were also
on hand at the event, held at Lincoln's Lied Center for the Performing Arts. Judd
is scheduled to appear at the other Heart of America Tour stops as well.
The tour is the latest effort in Bono's continued campaign to improve conditions
in Africa. The mission of Debt, AIDS, Trade for Africa is to foster economic aid,
lower trade embargoes and raise money to fight AIDS.
Seventy-five percent of the 42 million people worldwide who are infected with
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, live in Sub-Saharan Africa, according the United
Nations' AIDS agency, UNAIDS.
Events were also staged in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles to observe
World AIDS Day.
Heart of America Tour dates:
- 12/2
- Iowa City, IA
- 12/3
- Waterloo, IA
- 12/3
- Chicago, IL
- 12/4
- Chicago, IL
- 12/5
- Indianapolis, IN
- 12/6
- Cincinnati, OH
- 12/7
- Louisville, KY
- 12/8 - Nashville, TN
For more on the fight against
AIDS, check out MTV's "Fight For
Your Rights: Protect Yourself" campaign.
—Joe D'Angelo
12.02.2002 3:17 PM EST
