As U.S. President Donald Trump revealed ambitions to annex Greenland, protests condemning his intentions were held simultaneously on January 17 (local time) across various locations in both Greenland and mainland Denmark.
On the 17th (local time), at a protest condemning the U.S. annexation of Greenland held in Copenhagen, Denmark, a participant wore a baseball cap inscribed with the phrase "Make America Go Away," a twist on Trump's political slogan "MAGA (Make America Great Again)." Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
According to The New York Times, AFP, and Reuters, thousands of people, including Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen, participated in a protest in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, holding Greenlandic flags and voicing opposition to President Trump's threats. This was the first large-scale protest in Greenland since President Trump openly expressed his desire to annex the territory.
Despite the freezing cold and drizzle, participants marched toward the U.S. Consulate, chanting "Kalaallit Nunaat"-the Greenlandic name for Greenland-and singing traditional Inuit songs.
The group led by Prime Minister Nielsen carried placards with slogans such as "Yankee Go Home," "NO Means NO," and "Greenland Is Already Great" as they marched.
The New York Times described this kind of organized protest as a rare sight in Nuuk, which has a population of less than 20,000. Kristian Johansen, a Nuuk resident who helped organize the protest, told The New York Times, "There is a deep sense of anxiety among people right now," adding, "With each new statement from President Trump, the situation is getting worse."
On the 17th (local time), a protest condemning the United States' annexation of Greenland was held in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Photo by AP News Agency
In Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, thousands also gathered in the square in front of City Hall, holding signs that read "Hands Off Greenland" and waving both Danish and Greenlandic flags. They, too, marched to the U.S. Embassy, chanting slogans such as "Kalaallit Nunaat" and "Greenland Is Not for Sale."
Some participants wore baseball caps inscribed with the phrase "Make America Go Away," a twist on Trump's political slogan "MAGA (Make America Great Again)." There were also signs reading "America Already Has Too Much ICE," a phrase that simultaneously criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has been under fire in America, and President Trump's obsession with the icy lands of Greenland.
Protests were also held simultaneously in other Danish cities, including Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense. U.S. lawmakers from both parties, who were visiting Denmark to show support, held a press conference before the protests to reiterate their opposition to the annexation of Greenland. Democratic Senator Chris Coons stated, "Greenland is part of Denmark, and Denmark is our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally," adding, "I believe this discussion should end here."
On the 17th (local time), a protest condemning the United States' annexation of Greenland was held in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Photo by AP Yonhap News
President Trump has not backed down from his determination to acquire Greenland by any means necessary. While the protest was taking place in Nuuk, he announced that, starting February 1, the United States would impose a 10% tariff-and from June 1, a 25% tariff-on eight European countries that had sent troops to participate in joint military exercises in Greenland.
According to an Ipsos poll conducted on January 12-13, only 17% of Americans supported the attempt to annex Greenland, and just 4% approved of occupying Greenland by military force. President Trump dismissed the poll as "fake."
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