A human chain is a form of demonstration in which people link arms or hands as a show of political solidarity.

The chains can involve thousands of people, with the world record being claimed in 2020 by Bihar, India, which was estimated to include 51.7 million people across , to support the government's efforts towards environment conservation and eradication of social evils.

List of notable human chains

Date Event Location Number of participants PurposeEmbrace the BaseRAF Greenham Common Newbury, Berkshire, England30,000 (women)Protested siting of nuclear missiles in RAF Greenham Common, an English military base. human chainGreenham to Aldermaston and the ordnance factory at Burghfield70,000 (40,000 – 80,000)Protested siting of American nuclear missiles in West Germany.Hands Across AmericaUnited States5,000,000Charitable event to raise money to fight hunger and homelessness.Baltic WayEstonia; Latvia; Lithuania2,000,000Called for the end of the Soviet occupation of the Baltic countries, and for the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Reunion DayLviv–Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine)450,000 (according to Soviet militsiya); 3,000,000 (according to organizers)Marking the 71st anniversary of the Act Zluky, an agreement unifying the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian National Republic.XII World Youth Day, 1997Paris, France400,000A 36 km ring surrounding Paris facing outwards, symbolically calling for peace.Jubilee 2000 Human ChainBirmingham, UK70,000 – 100,000The first Chain demonstration by Jubilee 2000, a coalition of church and faith groups, overseas development agencies and others at the G8 Summit in Birmingham, UK, to highlight the indebted poverty of many poor countries and the need for the G8, World Bank and IMF to act to remit that debt. The Chain surrounded Birmingham city center including the International Convention Center.Protest against violence in East TimorLisbon300,000+A 20 km ring connecting the United Nations delegation and the embassies of Russia, China, UK, France and the US in Lisbon, calling for the end of violence in East Timor.228 Hand-in-Hand RallyTaiwan1,000,000+ ( 2,000,000+ according to organizers)Commemoration of the February 28 Incident and protest of People's Republic of China missiles aimed at Taiwan.Israeli ChainGush Katif (Jewish communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip, Israel), to the Western Wall, Jerusalem (90 kilometers)130,000 (according to police)Opposing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Disengagement Plan which involves dismantling of Jewish communities and settlements of Gush Katif.'No Confidence' campaign to the BNP-led alliance government Teknaf to Tentulia, Bangladesh5,000,000+ and The participants were supporters of 14 opposition parties led by the Bangladesh Awami League to express their 'No Confidence' campaign to the BNP-led alliance government and to demand fresh polls. It was 1,050 km (652.4 miles) long.Great American BoycottNew York City. (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn Bronx)12,000 (according to CNN )Protesting H.R. 4437, a bill in Congress to toughen immigration checks.Gaza ChainGaza20,000 Protesting Israeli blockade of Gaza"Stop Russia" campaignProtesters wave the flag in 'Stop Russia' campaign. Financial Times. 2008-09-01.Georgia1,000,000 (according to the Georgian authorities)Georgians stage mass protest . news.com.au. September 02, 2008.Protesting Russian military intervention2009 Tamil protests in IndiaRain highlights depth of emotions in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Net. 2008-10-24.Chennai, India100,000 – 150,000Protesting the violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Civil War."Mumbai citizens form human chain to protest attacks"Mumbai citizens form human chain to protest attacks. The Times of India. 2008-12-13.Mumbai, India60,000Protesting Against the terror attacks that took place in Mumbai on the 26th of November 20082009 Tamil protests in CanadaToronto, Canada20,000Protesting the violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Civil War.Green Chain, Iran's Presidential Election2009 Iranian Election ProtestsTehran, Iran18,000 – 30,000In support of Mir-Hossein MousaviKerala CPM, 2009 ASEAN agreement ProtestKerala, India200,000Protesting against the ASEAN and New Delhi free trade agreementTelangana JAC, Telangana Human ChainAndhra Pradesh, IndiaThe people of Telangana formed a 500 kilometers-long human chain all along the National Highway number 7 from Adilabad on the northernmost tip of the region to Alampur on the borders of Kurnool district, to press their demand for forming a separate state.Human Chain for Human Rights.Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India20,00025 km long Human chain formed for Human Rights on Human Rights Day on December 10, 2012 by 20,000 tribal students of Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .Catalan Way Towards IndependenceThroughout Catalonia1,600,000480 km long Human chain organized by the Assemblea Nacional Catalana for the independence of Catalonia. Pro-European Union protests / Against Russian interventionVarious, largest from Ukraine to Subcarpathian Voivodeship. Also Lithuania – Latvia.2,000,000+Ukraine opposition demands leader resign after EU snub, Seven News (30 November 2013)Symbolic "linking" of Ukraine to the European UnionHuman Chain For The Right to Decide of the Basque CountryThroughout Basque Country, from Durango to Iruñea-Pamplona150,000+123 km long Human chain organized by Gure Esku Dago for the Self-determination of the Basque Country.Madhesh Human ChainMechi to Mahakali, Hulaki Rajmarg, Nepal.1,500,000+The 2015 Human Chain for Madhesh Movement was an organised protest in Nepal for pressurizing the government of Nepal to withdraw the discriminatory policies being institutionalized in the constitution that came in effect on 20 September 2015. The Madheshis the residents and indigenous population of Madhesh, the southern plains of Nepal, created world record in creating 1155 km of human chain to draw attention of Nepal government. Kerala LDF, 2016 Indian Bank Note Demonetization ProtestKerala, India1,000,000+ (according to estimates made by the organizers)Protesting against the demonetization of ₹500 (US$7.40) and ₹1,000 (US$15) banknotesSupport for Total prohibitionBihar, India20,000,000The participants expressed support to implement and promote complete Prohibition of liquor and intoxicants in the territory of the State of Bihar and in favour of the law to be passed by Nitish Kumar Government by forming human chain of around 12,760 km across the state of Bihar. It was of the length of 11,292 km (7,017 mi).Human chain for Basque self-determination 2018Basque Autonomous Community, Spain175,000Advocacy for a right of the Basques to decide their political status.Vanitha Mathil (Women's wall)Kerala, India3,000,000 –5,000,000 (women)The women's wall was formed for a distance of around 620 kilometers from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram to uphold gender equality and protest against gender discrimination. .Hong Kong WayHong Kong210,000Advocacy for withdrawal of the extradition bill and for democratic elections. The chain was nearly 50 km (30 mi) and stretched through Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. It was held on the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way Chain of Freedom, a peaceful gathering that called for independence from Soviet Union.2019–20 Lebanese protestsLebanon coastline170,000Symbolize the unity of the Lebanese protesters against austerity, political corruption and sectarianism. It ran from Tripoli to Tyre.Manushya Maha SringhalaKerala state6,000,000 – 7,500,000A 700 km long human chain was formed on Republic Day, across the state of Kerala in India. The chain was organized by the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) led Left Democratic Front. The chain was formed to swear an oath to protect the Constitution of India and to demand the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act and non-implementation of the National Register of Citizens.

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