Thousands Attend Debt-Relief Rally

Encouraged by shofar blasts and a trumpet fanfare, several thousand people formed a human chain around the U.S. Capitol in Washington to demand that wealthy nations show biblical forgiveness by canceling billions of dollars in debt owed by the world’s most impoverished countries. Buffeted by cold, blustery winds and singing “This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land,” the demonstrators included Franciscans friars in brown robes, workers in union jackets and jeans-clad college students, all voicing concern about the financial burden on poor countries because of debt obligations. The event was sponsored by Jubilee 2000/USA, a coalition of religious, labor and social justice groups.