Dozens of New Jersey residents rallied in Washington, D.C. Saturday to support David Goldman, of Tinton Falls, in his quest to bring his 8-year-old son home from Brazil.

The supporters say they planned to ask the United States government for aid in arranging the reunion of Goldman and his son, Sean. Goldman says his former wife took Sean on what he thought was a two-week vacation to Brazil in 2004. According to Goldman, once they arrived in Brazil, his wife called to tell him their marriage was over and that she was keeping their son. His wife married another man in Brazil and died giving birth to another child last year.

More than 100 people attended the rally, which was held in Lafayette Square in the nation's capital. Supporters say the event was planned to coincide with Saturday's meeting between President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"I'm so grateful for the people who see and know what the right is for a parent to be with their child," Goldman says.

According to insiders, President Obama discussed the international custody battle in private talks with the Brazilian president, though details of the conversation are unknown.