Santa Monica City Council prohibits AIDS Walk from advertising on Big Blue Bus

The Santa Monica City Council decided in August to prohibit advertisements from non-commercial campaigns, including the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Walk, on the Big Blue Bus.According to an information item posted on the Santa Monica City Council's website, since 2001, the Big Blue Bus has been selling advertisement space on its vehicles to many different clients, but the company became more restrictive in 2011.AIDS Walk Founder and Producer Craig R. Miller sent out emails on the issue, and calls were made to inform citizens of the situation. Millen said the paid advertisements on the Big Blue Bus both educate and engage the public about the event and provide valuable information."City leaders are providing an economic advantage to corporate interests and a disadvantage to community advocates, such as those who fight against breast cancer, poverty and AIDS," Miller said.According to the website, the request to advertise violated the Transit Advertising Program Guidelines, which says that only commercial advertisements are allowed to use the Big Blue Bus's advertising space.  In past years, the AIDS Walk has been allowed to advertise on the buses due to more flexibility in enforcing the policy prior to 2011. Advertising non-commercial products could make the bus appear to be a public forum, which is why they do not allow it."It is an unfortunate choice," H-House Principal, Leslie Wells said. "I can't imagine anyone would think it is not a worthwhile cause. It is a disease that affects everybody."Sophomore Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) member Nagel Martinez, who is walked in the AIDS Walk for the first time this year, believes that the Big Blue Bus should focus more on the common good of people and should care about benefiting the AIDS Walk."The GSA is walked in the AIDS Walk, fundraised and asked people to donate, but I don't think we can change what the Big Blue Bus thinks," said Martinez.cgoldberg@thesamohi.com