Widespread demonstrations organized by Greenlandic associations are unfolding across Denmark and Greenland in a powerful display of opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring the autonomous Arctic territory. The coordinated protests, occurring in major cities including Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense, and the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk, represent a significant grassroots mobilization against what organizers term “illegal plans” for American control.
The citizen movement ‘Hands Off Greenland,’ alongside Uagut (an association of Greenlanders in Denmark) and the Inuit umbrella organization, initiated these rallies coinciding with a visit by a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation to Copenhagen. Protesters in Nuuk planned to march toward the U.S. consulate bearing Greenlandic flags, while the Copenhagen demonstration included a stop at the U.S. embassy.
Julie Rademacher, chairwoman of Uagut, emphasized the need for unity, stating recent developments have placed Greenlanders “under pressure.” Organizers Kristian Johansen and Avijaja Rosing-Olsen articulated the core demands: respect for Greenland’s right to self-determination, adherence to international law, and recognition of fundamental human rights. Their statements highlight that this struggle transcends local concerns, representing a matter of global significance.
The protests follow President Trump’s recent escalation in rhetoric, including threats to impose tariffs on countries opposing his Greenland ambitions. This stance appears dramatically at odds with Greenlandic public opinion—a January 2025 poll indicated overwhelming opposition to joining the United States, with 85% against the proposition and only 6% in favor.