Journal Square was bustling more than usual today as a HIV-awareness group set up shop outside the Jersey City transportation hub to distribute free condoms and perform free HIV tests.

The group, Condom Nation, sponsored the event with the help of local groups such as Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s Project LOL Mpowerment Jersey City and Hudson Pride Connections Center.

Condom Nation plans to visit 40 cities and 25 states in an effort to promote safe sex and HIV-awareness.

The tour was supposed to last six months, but the event has been so well received, the group is looking to expand the tour to finish at the end of the year, according to Condom Nation project manager Marco Benjamin.

"So far, we've given out 50,000 condoms today," said Benjamin, 31, of Jersey City, "We should have given out 70,000 by the end of the day."

Condom Nation, which travels with a 70-foot, cobalt-blue big rig filled with 1 million prophylactics, plans to make appearances at Asbury Park Pride in New Jersey and Brooklyn Pride in New York.

"I love it. I love driving. Doing this is a plus, I love meeting new people," said Hector Alcantara who drove the 18-wheeler from the tour's start in California.

However, some residents received the group with animosity.

"Whoever allowed this should be fired," said Jersey City developer Tony DeLuca, who came across the big tractor trailer with his daughter.

"It sends the entire wrong message about Jersey City and the people of Jersey City," said DeLuca, arguing that the campaign negatively affects the image of a redeveloping area.

His 14-year-old daughter Shannon DeLuca agrees.

"I understand what they're trying to do, but it's not the message I'd send out to people. To people my age, they would think it's OK to have sex," she said,

Jersey City teacher Kathleen Hawkes, 56, offered an alternative solution.

"Why don't they educate people? That's what they need to do, not give out free condoms," Hawkes said.

However, Jersey City Police spokesperson Stan Eason claimed that the groups received the proper permits from both the city and Port Authority to set base and distribute the contraceptives.

Still, the event was appreciated by many, perhaps with a bit too much enthusiasm.

One woman snatched a handful of condoms after she was denied more by the project's community manager.

Condom Nation chose Jersey City, and specifically Journal Square, due to the high amount of pedestrian traffic that occurs there, Benjamin said.

"We want to be seen," said Benjamin, "It's important."