Protests Erupt in Greenland Against Trump’s Plans
Thousands gathered in the capital of Greenland on Saturday to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s proposal to annex the autonomous territory of Denmark.
Among the demonstrators was Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen, who joined others in waving Greenlandic flags and singing traditional Inuit songs amid a light drizzle.
Many attendees sported hats that read “Make America Go Away,” a playful twist on Trump’s campaign phrase, “Make America Great Again.”
While Nuuk witnessed significant protests, similar gatherings were also reported throughout Denmark, with thousands participating.
On Friday, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on nations that resisted his plan regarding mineral-rich Greenland.
“We don’t want President Trump to invade Greenland. That’s the message,” said 44-year-old nurse Pernik Larsen Stram at the Nuuk rally, describing the climate as “nerve-wracking.”
In Copenhagen, charity worker Kirsten Hjornholm, 52, emphasized the need to stand in solidarity with the people of Greenland. “We cannot tolerate being bullied by our allies. This is a matter of international law,” she stated.
As she spoke, others around her waved both Danish and Greenlandic flags, chanting “Kalaalit Nunaat!”—the Greenlandic name for their homeland. Some held signs like, “We already have too much ICE,” referencing the deployment of U.S. armed immigration agents, while others yelled, “Greenland is not for sale.”
These demonstrations in Copenhagen coincided with a visit from a U.S. congressional delegation meeting politicians from both Greenland and Denmark.
Senator Chris Coons, leading the group, remarked to reporters that Trump’s stance is misguided and not widely supported among Americans.
Polling data from January 2025 indicated that a significant majority—85 percent—of Greenlanders oppose being incorporated into the United States. Only 6% were in favor.
Trump has asserted that the United States “needs” Greenland, citing its mineral wealth and strategic position in the Arctic for U.S. “national security.”
He also claimed that Denmark lacks the capability to secure Greenland.
In response to military exercises demonstrating France’s commitments to its territories, NATO allies have recently dispatched troops to Greenland, showcasing their joint defense strategies. Denmark confirmed that the U.S. was invited to join these exercises.
Senator Coons further argued that there is no credible national security threat that validates the Trump administration’s position.
“There is good reason to explore ways to invest broadly in Arctic security, both in the U.S. Arctic and with our NATO partners and allies,” he added.
The Danish Greenlandic organization Uagut, one of the protest’s organizers, aimed to “send a clear and unified message of respect for democracy and fundamental human rights in Greenland.”
Abhijaya Rosing Olsen, another organizer from Greenland, expressed, “We demand the right to self-determination and respect for our rights as a people. This isn’t just our fight; it’s a worldwide issue.”
