Crowds in Copenhagen Protest Trump’s Greenland Acquisition Proposal
In Copenhagen, a massive crowd gathered to make their voices heard, marching from City Hall to the U.S. embassy. They were united in their opposition to President Trump’s controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland. The demonstrators, brandishing Greenlandic flags, filled the air with chants of “Greenland is not for sale,” and many donned red hats parodying Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan with “Make America Go Away.”
President Trump has been persistent in his pursuit of Greenland, suggesting it is crucial for national security. The U.S. already maintains a military base on the island. “One way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” Trump reportedly declared aboard Air Force One.
The protest followed a visit from a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Denmark, aimed at reinforcing the U.S.-Denmark alliance amidst Trump’s assertions. During the visit, U.S. lawmakers engaged with Danish and Greenlandic officials, business leaders, and emphasized the enduring partnership between the countries.
Peder Dam, a Danish citizen, attended the rally with a creative sign featuring characters from Star Wars. “Americans: I know there is good in you. Come back to sanity,” it read. Dam expressed understanding that the current U.S. administration doesn’t reflect the views of all Americans. “We know what is going on in the White House is not representative for all Americans,” he shared with NPR.
However, Dam is perplexed by the apparent lack of widespread protest from American citizens. “I can’t understand. If my government said they would attack Sweden, then Denmark would step up and protest that,” he said. “Why aren’t there more normal, average Americans stepping up, trying to protest what is going on?”
Another protester, identified as Thomas due to workplace concerns, voiced his discontent with the U.S. “I cannot express how deeply disappointed I am — that we have sent our troops to die with you in Iraq, we were with you in Afghanistan,” he remarked. “How dare you turn your back on us in this way?”
While Thomas doubts that an invasion of Greenland will transpire, the uncertainty around the possibility has left many uneasy. “I don’t think it’s going to happen, but we don’t know,” he stated, highlighting the emotional and political tension the situation has created.
Naja Mathilde Rosing, whose family hails from Greenland, described the demonstration as profoundly personal. “We are here to show solidarity, that we do not wish to be a part of the United States,” she conveyed to NPR. Rosing criticized the notion of purchasing Greenland, noting it offends indigenous communities who cherish the land beyond ownership.
Charlotte Holm, who has familial ties to Greenland, shared concerns about the potential consequences of U.S. interest in the island. “They’re so scared,” she said of her relatives. “They’re afraid because they don’t know what’s going to happen to their society.”
Holm’s message to the U.S. was clear: “Leave them alone. Go focus on the Epstein files, go focus on the midterm elections.” She worries that U.S. encroachment could disrupt the global order and NATO’s stability. “We need American citizens to call their Republican representatives and tell them we need to take care of NATO,” she urged, aligning with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s sentiments.
