Animal rights activists are descending on the nation’s capital to protest what they consider inhumane treatment of animals, including using them for medical experiments.

The march today is the culmination of the activists’ annual weeklong visit to lobby Congress for stronger laws protecting animals used in scientific research.

Some AIDS activists have denounced the march. Animals have been used in experiments to treat AIDS patients just as they are used in scientific research involving cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

“In the never-ending AIDS war, we have fought very hard for AIDS research. Now we must fight for important animal research that will prove the safety of new therapies and ultimately save lives,” said Matthew Sharp, a member of ACT UP/Golden Gate in San Francisco, one of several AIDS and health groups that support using animals in medical research.

The march’s organizer, Peter Gerard, executive director of the National Alliance for Animals, said animals should enjoy the “fundamental rights” of “life, liberty, freedom from torture and exploitation.”

“Torturing animals has nothing to do with curing AIDS,” said Steve Simmons, an AIDS patient and also a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.