Parallel demonstrations took place in Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense, with a protest in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, planned for later Saturday as marchers headed toward the U.S. consulate, according to organizers.
“We are demonstrating against American statements and ambitions to annex Greenland,” said Camilla Siezing, chairwoman of the Inuit Association, in a statement. “We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s right to self-determination.”
Organizers stated that the protests were peaceful and open to anyone wishing to show solidarity, coinciding with the visit of U.S. senators to Denmark amid mounting transatlantic tensions.
Trump has repeatedly claimed Greenland is crucial to U.S. national security and refused to rule out coercive measures to acquire it, causing a diplomatic crisis with Denmark, a NATO ally.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains control over defense and foreign policy, while the island’s elected parties broadly support independence but disagree on timing.
The protests followed Denmark and several European allies’ announcement of plans to expand their military presence in and around Greenland through increased exercises and deployments, which officials described as defensive.
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