Scores of people laced up their walking shoes Sunday and strolled through Golden Gate Park as part of the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco, and this year's event featured an extra political wrinkle.
Aside from raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, Sunday's 10K walk aimed a particular spotlight at the ongoing national health care fight.
"This week, as your government considers stripping away health care from millions, walk, march and protest with us!" That call to action was posted prominently on the AIDS Walk San Francisco website ahead of the event, which happened to have taken place as the Senate mulls the future of the country's health care law.
Attendees in San Francisco were encouraged to craft signs expressing their backing of the Affordable Care Act and those with pre-existing conditions.
Last year, more that $2.1 million was raised in the fight against AIDS, according to the AIDS Walk San Francisco website. Since 1987, a grand total of $88 million has been collected.
Money gathered from this year's walk will assist a slew of local organizations dedicated to providing care and support for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, according to the event's website.