Thousands of Greenlanders took to the streets in the largest protests in the country’s history, expressing outrage over repeated statements by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of the United States annexing the island. Demonstrations were held in several cities, including Nuuk and Sisimiut, as residents voiced their strong opposition to Trump’s remarks.
In Nuuk, which has a population of just over 19,000, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered, forming a march that stretched for several hundred metres. The protest was led by Jens Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats party, and was joined by Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede. Political leaders emphasised that the mass turnout reflected the nation’s unity in protecting its territorial integrity.
Trump’s comments, in which he suggested that Greenland’s incorporation into the United States was inevitable, provoked strong reactions not only in Greenland but also in Denmark. Leaders of Greenland’s five major political parties issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s words, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s support for Greenland’s autonomous status.
In addition to local demonstrators, Trump supporters also gathered in Nuuk, some wearing caps with the slogan Make America Great Again. To prevent confusion, anti Trump protesters held signs in English clarifying the purpose of the demonstration.
Trump made his remarks about Greenland’s future during a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He repeated his view that the island holds strategic importance for the United States and suggested that Greenlanders would benefit economically if they joined the US. Danish officials reacted with anger, with Rasmus Jarlov, Chairman of the Danish Defence Committee, expressing outrage over the discussions.
