Marita Lawson , UAW Local 2327 member, traveled from Bridgeston, N.J., for the rally.

UAW members comprised the largest labor contingent among thousands who formed a human chain in the nation’s capital April 9 in a show of solidarity with countries that are trapped in poverty because of huge debts owed to U.S.-based lending institutions.

Demonstrators urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to forgive billions of dollars in loan payments so that developing nations can spend the money on education, health care, nutrition, and other urgent needs.

"These countries are being crushed by what they owe," said Ed Lewis, a UAW Local 1590 member from Martinsburg, W.Va. UAW Regions 8, 9, and 9A mobilized member participation in the rally sponsored by Jubilee 2000/USA, part of a worldwide, religious-based movement for debt relief.