Demonstrators in Stuttgart formed a human chain reaching 27 mile for a protest against extending the life of nuclear power plants in Germany. The protest was planned before the current nuclear crisis in Japan but took on new form in light of those events.
Organizers said events in Japan had proved atomic power was an uncontrollable and risky technology.
Nuclear policy is a key issue in German regional elections this year.
About 60,000 people turned out for the protest, according to organizers. Police said the number was in the tens of thousands.
The demonstrators formed a human chain between Stuttgart and the Neckarwestheim nuclear plant, waving yellow flags with the slogan “Nuclear power – no thanks”.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAQRs6g0YwE&feature=player_embedded]