The largest December 1 crowd to march against Aids yet, on Monday,  walked along the peripheral streets of Victoria singing in solidarity with people affected by the pandemic.

Led by government ministers and leaders of various private and non-governmental organisations, the banner-carrying crowd left Stad Popiler at around 2.30 p.m.

Wearing the red ribbon that signifies support for the Aids-affected, stickers or both, participants of the march followed the National Brass Band along Francis Rachel Street past the clock tower to Quincy Street.

As they walked down Palm Street, different sections of the train of people organised themselves into groups which recited phrases or sang towards to the cause of fighting stigma and discrimination against people living with Aids (PLWA).

As the head of the throng approached the Music Stadium on 5th June Avenue, the tail had yet to pass the Victoria bus terminal.

The mood was generally sombre and participants seemed quite serious about the activity and what it stood for. Theresa Quatre of Anse Royale, for example, had a sticker on her forehead and a ribbon pinned wherever she could.

"I have put on so many because Aids affects all parts of the body. Dangerous ideas are mooted in the head, hence I have one on the forehead, and once it affects a person, it spares no part of his or her body," she told Nation.

At the Bicentenary Monument roundabout, young people from the Youth Centre unveiled a seven-metre tall monument shaped like a ribbon, which they had erected earlier.

It bears messages of encouragement for PLWA and others urging people to treat the affected well.

The crowd then went into music stadium where different church groups and members of the brass band sang songs of encouragement.

Before the march started, the Minister for Health, Patrick Pillay, addressed the participants saying stigma and discrimination are the reasons why the incidence of Aids is on the rise in Seychelles.

He said the two ills need to be fought because they are responsible also for the reluctance of people to present themselves for the HIV test.

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