30,000 form human chain in a peaceful demonstration to demand debt cancellation at WTO

A human chain made up of 30,000 people from around the world marched to the opening reception of the World Trade Organisation in Seattle on Monday 29^th November to call for debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries.

The crowds braved pouring rain to follow a procession led by Native American drummers from First Methodist Church to the Kingdome Exhibition Centre where the opening reception was taking place. Together with 1400 steelworkers, they formed a human chain around the Kingdome and its parking lot. Completing the chain around the Exhibition Centre were 14 dignitaries including President John Sweeney of the major US labour federation, the AFL-CIO, Rev. David Duncombe (who had fasted for 45 days to raise awareness of the debt crisis), Jubilee 2000 leaders from the United States, Britain and South Africa, and clergy from local churches.

"This human chain is made up of Sunday school teachers and steelworkers, Indian fisherfolk, Korean farmers and South African trade unionists. This is truly an international, grassroots movement," said Bronwyn Mauldin of the Jubilee 2000 Northwest Coalition.

The human chain was vividly decorated with placards and signs reading "Break the Chains of Debt" and "People, Not Profits" amidst union banners, flags from Mexico and people wearing "Drop the Debt" t-shirts. Held in the evening, supporters also carried torches and defied the rain by chanting: "We're here! We're wet! Cancel the debt!"

The march and human chain were preceded by a meeting addressed by Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Vandana Shiva in a packed and overflowing church. Ann Pettifor, Director of Jubilee 2000 UK, and Hanna Petros of Jubilee 2000 Northwest described how the debt crisis is devastating the poorest of the poor around the world. Grammy winners, the choir Sweet Honey in the Rock sang, whilst leaders from all the major religious traditions led invocations.

Maxine Waters, in an inspiring speech commended the Jubilee 2000 movement:

"Jubilee 2000 has created a defining moment in world politics,” said the Congresswoman. “I work in a world where politicians make deals on behalf of special interests groups. Jubilee 2000 came into this world with moral authority and caused many politicians to change their ways and support debt relief for the poorest of the world's poor countries.”

“When the World Trade Organization (WTO) decided to come to Seattle, Washington, for its annual ministerial meeting, it did not plan on meeting the Jubilee 2000 movement. However, the Jubilee 2000 movement is here in the streets, in the churches and throughout the city.”

“We who support the Jubilee 2000 movement are now telling world leaders in the WTO that we are sick of injustice and we are sick of inequality. We want an end to the debts that are impoverishing so many poor countries and their people.”

“Thank you, Jubilee 2000!” reiterated the Congresswoman.

The Jubilee 2000 Northwest Coalition, sponsors of the march, took its message to the WTO because they believe that trade rules being written in Seattle will hurt indebted countries. "There can be no fair trade without debt cancellation," said Njoki Njehu of 50 Years is Enough, one of the organisations promoting Jubilee 2000 in the US.

• Visit the Jubilee 2000 Northwest Coalition website