Greenlanders March in Protest Against Trump's Threats to Take Over Their Island

Thousands of Greenlanders marched in Nuuk to oppose US President Trump's threats of an American takeover. They advocated for self-governance and displayed national pride amidst rising tensions.

Thousands of Greenlanders marched through snow and ice on Saturday, protesting against US President Donald Trump's intentions. They carried signs, waved their national flag, and chanted "Greenland is not for sale," asserting their right to self-governance amidst fears of an American takeover. The protest concluded at the US Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, under rain and near-freezing temperatures.

News broke that Trump, from his golf course in Florida, announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries opposing US control of Greenland. Malik Dollerup-Scheibel expressed shock at the announcement, stating, "I thought this day couldn't get any worse but it just did. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now."

Protests Across the Danish Realm

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Dollerup-Scheibel were among the protesters in what was described as Nuuk's largest demonstration, involving nearly a quarter of its population. Solidarity rallies also took place across Denmark, including Copenhagen, and in Nunavut, Canada's Inuit-governed territory. Danish protester Elise Riechie remarked, "This is important for the whole world. There are many small countries. None of them are for sale."

In Nuuk, participants of all ages listened to traditional songs during their march to the consulate. Marie Pedersen brought her children to teach them about speaking up. She stated, "We want to keep our own country and our own culture, and our family safe." Her daughter Alaska crafted a "Greenland is not for sale" sign and mentioned learning about NATO at school.

Greenland's Call for Support

Tom Olsen, a police officer in Nuuk, noted that Saturday's protest was the largest he had witnessed there. He expressed hope that it would demonstrate unity in Europe against Trump's plans. "We are not going down without a fight," he said.

Tillie Martinussen, a former member of Greenland's parliament, urged the Trump administration to abandon its plans. She said they initially presented themselves as allies wanting to improve Greenland more than Denmark could but are now threatening them. She emphasised that preserving NATO and Greenland's autonomy is more crucial than facing tariffs.

When asked by The Associated Press what message she would send to Trump, Louise Lennert Olsen, a Greenlandic nurse, instead addressed the American people. She hoped they would support Greenland's desire to remain as it is and stand against their president.

"I would really like them to support our wish to be Greenland as we are now," she said while marching through Nuuk. "I hope they will stand against their own president. Because I can't believe they just stand and watch and do nothing."

With inputs from PTI