COPENHAGEN/NUUK: Thousands of Greenlanders are set to take part in protests in Denmark and Greenland on Saturday to oppose plans by the United States to assert control over the autonomous Danish territory.
Demonstrations are scheduled in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, and the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk.
“The aim is to send a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland’s democracy and fundamental human rights,” said Uagut, an association of Greenlanders in Denmark, on its website.
The rallies follow comments by US President Donald Trump on Friday suggesting he “may put a tariff” on countries opposing his plans for Greenland. Organisers said the Nuuk demonstration, scheduled for 4:00 pm local time (1500 GMT), will see participants march to the US consulate carrying Greenlandic flags. In Copenhagen, the rally is due to begin at 12:00 pm (1100 GMT) and make a stop outside the US embassy.
Julie Rademacher, chairwoman of Uagut, urged Greenlanders to stand together: “When tensions rise and people go into a state of alarm, we risk creating more problems than solutions for ourselves and for each other. We appeal to Greenlanders in both Greenland and Denmark to show unity.”
The demonstrations coincide with a visit by a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers to Copenhagen, who voiced support for Denmark and Greenland and rejected the president’s territorial ambitions. European officials have also shown backing for Greenland through a military reconnaissance mission in the region.
Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller said “positive early talks” had taken place this week between US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials, but reiterated that the president remains intent on acquiring the island.
Organisers, including Uagut, “Hands Off Greenland,” and Inuit, an umbrella group of Greenlandic associations, said the protests aim to defend Greenland’s right to self-determination and uphold international law.
Kristian Johansen, one of the organisers, said: “With this demonstration, we want to show that we are taking action, that we stand together and that we support our politicians, diplomats, and partners.” Avijaja Rosing-Olsen added: “We demand respect for our country’s right to self-determination and for us as a people. This is not only our struggle, it is a struggle that concerns the entire world.”
According to a January 2025 poll, 85 percent of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the United States, while only six percent are in favour.
