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| S P E C I A L S: | Diana: A Remembrance |
| Diana: A Nation Mourns |
San Francisco pays tribute to Diana's AIDS work
September 5, 1997
Web posted at: 11:45 p.m. EDT (0345 GMT)From San Francisco Bureau Chief Greg Lefevre
SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- Thousands of San Franciscans paid tribute to Princess Diana with a candlelight march Friday evening, recalling, in particular, her help in the fight against AIDS.
"Diana stood up for what she thought was right, in the face of adversity," march organizer Kenneth Bunch, himself living with AIDS, said in an interview with the San Francisco Examiner.
The princess was the first member of the royal family to publicly work in the fight against AIDS, making a very public visit to an AIDS facility in England in 1989. So in this city, so affected by the disease, people wanted to show appreciation for her efforts.
Marchers walked two miles from Harvey Milk Plaza, named for the city's first openly gay supervisor, to the British consulate. Leading the parade were two children the ages of Diana's sons, William, 15, and Harry, 12.
There were no speeches, only singing.
Since Diana's death, streams of mourners have entered the lobby of the building housing the consulate, leaving flowers and remembrances before a photograph of the princess.
Thoughts left in a book of condolences ranged from four words to an entire page. Each day, the flowers left behind are collected and distributed to hospitals. Toys left behind are sent to children's charities.
A woman from Nevada wrote, "She chose to work in hospitals, and homeless shelters, embracing AIDS patients, giving the royal snub to the insidious virus..."
In the early fight against AIDS, Princess Diana lit a candle against the darkness. Friday, San Francisco returned the favor.
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