At least 150,000 people marched in Berlin on Saturday to protest a planned free trade deal between Europe and the United States that they say is anti-democratic and will lower standards for food safety, labor and the environment.

Organizers - an alliance of environmental groups, charities and opposition parties - said 250,000 people had taken part in the rally against free trade deals with both the United States and Canada, far more than they had anticipated.

"This is the biggest protest that this country has seen for many, many years," Christoph Bautz, director of the citizens' movement known as Campact told protesters in a speech.