Organisers said an estimated 8,000 people were needed to complete the chain around Gibraltar's approximately 5.8 square kilometre-perimeter. Many of those who did turn out for the event wore red T-shirts adorned with British flags, and an aerial picture of the chain was planned. Gibraltar's government declared the day a national holiday called the Day of Freedom.
The House of the Assembly, Gibraltar's parliament, was to present the Freedom of the City award to the Royal Navy, which deployed the frigate HMS Grafton to Gibraltar for the celebrations.
And some 300 British sailors were to parade through the city's streets for British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon and other dignitaries. The presence of Britain's Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon at the celebrations stirred resentment in Spain, and Spanish officials have repeatedly lodged protests with the British ambassador in Madrid.
