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NYC Marks World AIDS Day With Vigils, Other Events

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Several events are being held across the city Wednesday to mark the 23rd annual World AIDS Day.

A 24-hour vigil got underway at midnight in City Hall Park. On a rainy, windswept day New Yorkers came to pay their respects as volunteers read out the names of those who have died from AIDS.  

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"It's not about just the people who have HIV/AIDS it impacts all of us," one man said. "People are dying so that affects who we are as a people."

"I come because it's still something that needs to be in the forefront of the news," one woman said. "World AIDS Day still needs to be recognized as an important day."

"I think it's an important time for us to take time out of our days to remember that AIDS is still around and people are still dying," another man said.

Earlier Wednesday morning, Mayor Michael Bloomberg hosted the annual World AIDS Day Bagel Breakfast at the Brooklyn Public Library.

Nine members of the Housing Works -- wearing giant bagel costumes -- were arrested after gathering outside the breakfast in protest.

Police arrested the protesters after they chained themselves together and blocked traffic at Grand Army Plaza.

The group was protesting Bloomberg's appearance at the breakfast stating that the mayor has proposed cuts to AIDS services numerous times over the past few years.

The Empire State Building will be lit red tonight along with the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum to mark World AIDS Day.

For a list of other events in the area click here.

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