In Lafayette Park across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, and in 14 other locations around the country, Steelworkers gathered in the twilight of April 13 in candlelight vigils to call attention to China's long and continuing record of workers' and human rights violations. The union members and speakers called on Congress to deny China permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR)—which would eliminate Congress' annual review of that nation's rights record.

The day before, more than 15,000 union members told Congress "No Blank Check for China" at a U.S. Capitol rally and lobbying day.

Along with the actions aimed at derailing permanent NTR for China, the policies and actions of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which met in Washington, D.C., April 15 and 16, have been the target of several demonstrations, marches and teach-ins, including April 9's Jubilee 2000 rally. Thousands of union members, student activists, workers' and human rights advocates, people of faith and environmentalists joined in a massive Mobilization for Global Justice April 16. Human rights and fair trade teach-ins by student groups, unions and others are continuing through the weekend.

A planned April 13 protest of the coffee-buying practices of Starbucks became a celebration when the coffeehouse giant announced it will begin selling a line of "fair-trade" coffee this year. Working with the nonprofit organization TransFair USA, Starbucks will sell coffee certified as grown under safe working conditions and not sold through middlemen, ensuring more income for the farmers.